World literature is a broad and expansive subject that encompasses a variety of novels, plays, short stories, poems, and other works written by authors from diverse cultural backgrounds, who contribute to the global dialogue of literature and thought Its aim isn’t to just focus on western literature, but also to examine other works from world literature, such as those from Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, India, and East Asia.
The best way to develop an understanding of the various works that make up world literature is through analysis and presentation. Writing an essay about world literature is a great way to digest the texts and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for them. Here are five inspiring topics for a world literature essay.
1. An exploration of identity and self-discovery in the works of Gabriel García Márquez. Examining the Nobel Prize-winning author for his novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude," this essay could discuss how identity and self-discovery are explored through magical realism, surrealism, and other techniques that García Márquez utilizes.
2. Understanding the themes of literature in Wole Soyinka’s play “Death and the King’s Horseman.” This essay could analyze the themes of literature in Soyinka’s play, such as the power of tradition and culture, the role of religion, how one’s values and beliefs can transcend societal expectations, and the importance of personal choice.
3. The influence of colonialism in Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things Fall Apart”. Focusing on the novel’s protagonist Okonkwo, this essay could discuss how colonialism affects both the characters and the Igbo culture depicted in the novel, showcasing how these changes are conveyed through symbolism, imagery, and other literary devices.
4. Exploring the themes of displacement and assimilation in Jhumpa Lahiri’s short story collection “The Interpreter of Maladies”. This essay could look at Lahiri’s different characters, discussing how the stories explore the themes of displacement and assimilation of the various Indian immigrants depicted in the stories.
5. Examining the alienation themes in Milan Kundera’s novel “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”. This essay could analyze the different characters from the novel and how they struggle with alienation and existential questions, specifically looking at how these questions shape their identity and relationships with other people.
In conclusion, there are plenty of topics to explore when writing about world literature. The five topics discussed in this essay are just a few of the many essay ideas that could be explored. With thoughtful analysis, a well-crafted essay on world literature can offer a deeper appreciation for the works of authors from around the world.