Dan Pagis experienced the horrors of the Holocaust as a young child and only addresses the trauma he experienced through poetry. In the poem "Written in Pencil in a Sealed Freightcar" he uses Genesis and the murder of Abel by Cain as a...

Uncover the fascinating, colorful lives of Renaissance writers including John Donne, Ben Jonson, and Christopher Marlowe, and explore key features and themes in their groundbreaking plays and poetry.

Explore key literary works of the early 20th- century with these articles.

A series of articles that research how gender roles were defined in the 19th century, and how they were represented in the literature of the period.

The 19th century saw a rapid technological change, together with paradigm shifts in scientific understanding. These articles research how authors responded to the new possibilities afforded by technology and science.

These articles answer the following questions about novels between 1832-1880: From Charles Dickens to Charlotte Bronte, Elizabeth Gaskell to George Eliot, how did the writers of this period use fantasy, realism, sensationalism, and...

This in-depth, insightful article from "Western Buddist Review" examines the theme of leaving home as it relates to several of Forster's works (e.g., "The Road to Colonus," "The Machine Stops," and "Howards End.")

This site includes a definition of the term naturalism, important characteristics and themes of the literature movement, quotes pertaining to it, links to important figures in naturalism, and further bibliographical information.

Using short fiction by Raymond Carver and the art of Edward Hopper, this short unit plan explores the theme of alienation. This site includes questions, a list of suggested works, a reflection sheet, and an interactive exhibit of...

A scholarly essay discussing the theme of dreams in Emily Bronte's novel "Wuthering Heights."

Explore the Georgian period in its social, political, and historical contexts, with overviews of popular politics, the rise of consumerism, and entertainment.

These articles research the following questions related to the Victorian Age: Why was crime such a popular subject in 19th-century fiction? How did literature balance fear, social commentary, and entertainment? How were gruesome murders...

Explore polite culture, sensibility, and sentimentalism in the 18th century, and how these concepts are reflected in the writing of the period.

From courtship rituals to cross-dressing to love poetry, examine the ways in which Shakespeare and Renaissance writers explored identity, sexuality, and gender roles.

From circuses and 'freak shows' to broadsides and novels, from pleasure gardens and music halls to chapbooks and penny dreadfuls, Georgian and Victorian Britain offered the public a rich range of affordable entertainments. Read more...

From Wordsworth's Westminster Bridge to Blake's Chimney Sweepers; from Dickens's pickpockets to Jack the Ripper; and from Wells's War of the Worlds to Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes; discover the diverse ways in which writers in this...

Discover how Shakespeare's work was influenced by other cultures, and how in turn it's been interpreted in other nations over 400 years.

From cross-dressing in Twelfth Night to magical storms in The Tempest; from deception in Much Ado to biting satire in The Alchemist, discover the beauty and complexity of Shakespearean and Renaissance comedies.

Find out how war and conflict shaped literature throughout the 20th century.

Discover the ways in which writers captured the fast-changing world around them during the 20th Century.

Exploration and trade, crime and punishment, clothing and social structure: explore key aspects of Elizabethan life, culture, and society.

The Victorian period heralded a new wave of poetry that was influenced by its Romantic predecessors yet distinctly different. Read articles on how the Victorian poets approached composition, form and language, and what inspired their...

From the open-air Globe to the candlelit Blackfriars; from the countryside to the city; discover the world that shaped Shakespeare's work and influenced his legacy.

Great research site! Includes his themes, perspectives, form, style, audience, comparison and contrast in writing.