LITERARY RESEARCH
INSTITUTION: fAISOM UNIVERSITY Central Europe.
Lecturer: Stella Maris
LITERARY RESEARCH
Literary research involves the systematic investigation of a literary topic, theme, or issue.
Types of Literary Research
1. Historical Research
Historical literary research examines the historical context of a literary work or period. It involves analyzing literary texts within their historical setting to understand the author’s intentions, themes, and cultural influences.
Key Aspects of Historical Literary Research
1. Contextualization:
Understanding the historical period, cultural norms, and social conditions in which the text was written.
2. Authorial Research:
Considering the author’s background, experiences, and intentions when writing the text.
3. Historical Events and Influences:
Examining how historical events, movements, or ideologies shaped the text.
EXAMPLES OF HISTORICAL LITERARY RESEARCH.
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813):
Studied within the context of 19th-century English society, women’s roles, and social class.
George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man:
Written in the 19th century and set during the Serbo- Bulgarian War (1885), reflecting European politics and the materialistic attitudes of the period.
Benefits of Historical Research
1. Provides a richer understanding of a text’s meaning, themes, and cultural significance.
2. Enhances critical thinking by analyzing the relationship between literature and history.
Challenges in Historical Literary Research
1. Interpreting historical context:
This requires careful study of historical details and their impact on the text.
2. Limited access to historical information:
Some historical records may be incomplete or difficult to obtain.
Steps in Conducting Historical Literary Research
1. Identify the specific topic or research question.
2. Conduct background research on the period, author, or text.
3. Locate primary sources such as original texts or manuscripts.
4. Analyze the primary sources—language, structure, and context.
5. Consult secondary sources such as scholarly articles and books.
6. Contextualize the findings within broader historical, cultural, and social realities.
2. Thematic Research
Thematic research involves analyzing and interpreting literary texts to identify, explore, and understand recurring themes, motifs, or ideas.
Steps in Conducting Thematic Research
1. Determine the theme or motif to be explored—such as love, power, identity, or morality.
2. Select literary texts that highlight the theme (novels, plays, poems, short stories).
3. Examine how the theme is developed, represented, and sustained throughout the text.
4. Synthesize findings to gain a deeper understanding of the theme and its significance.
Examples of Texts for Thematic Research
1. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.
2. George Orwell’s 1984.
3. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Why Thematic Research?
1. It strengthens critical thinking.
2. It enables the reader or researcher to develop a deeper understanding of literary works.
Challenges in Thematic Research
1. Identifying relevant texts for a specific theme.
2. Interpreting complex themes and motifs.
3. Authorial Research
Authorial research involves studying an author’s life, works, and literary style to gain insight into their writing, themes, and literary contributions.
Types of Authorial Research
1. Biographical Research:
Examines the author’s life, experiences, and historical setting.
2. Contextual Research:
Studies the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which the author wrote.
Sources for Authorial Research
1. Critical Essays:
Scholarly articles or books analyzing an author’s works, themes, and style.
2. Letters and Diaries:
Personal correspondence and journals that reveal the author’s thoughts and writing process.
3. Primary Texts:
The author’s published works—novels, plays, or poetry.
Benefits of Authorial Research
1. Provides rich insights into an author’s themes and literary style.
2. Offers a deeper understanding of an author’s works within their historical, cultural, and social environment.
4. Critical Analysis
Critical analysis is a method of literary study that involves examining and interpreting texts to understand their meaning, themes, and significance. It allows researchers to evaluate a work’s structure, literary devices, themes, and overall impact.