What is your understanding of the research in literature?

Give practical examples.

Submitted By:
Arfa Attah
Submitted To:
Mr.Wajid Raiz
Registration. No:
BSELL0720326
Subject:
Research Methods in Literature
Department:
English Language and Literature
Class:
BS English literature 7th

THE UNIVERSITY OF LAHORE SGD

CAMPUS
What is your understanding of the research in literature? Give
practical examples
.
Research in literature involves a systematic and critical investigation of literary works, aiming
to explore, analyze, and understand various aspects such as themes, characters, cultural
contexts, and literary techniques. This type of research often employs literary theories,
historical context, and interdisciplinary approaches to gain deeper insights into the meaning and
significance of literary texts. Here are some practical examples illustrating the diverse facets of
research in literature:

1. Historical Context and Social Commentary:

 Example: Analyzing Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" in the context of the
French Revolution. Research may focus on how Dickens uses the historical
backdrop to comment on social and political issues of his own time, drawing
parallels between the two eras.

2. Feminist Literary Criticism:

 Example: Conducting a feminist analysis of Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway" to
examine how the novel portrays and critiques the societal expectations placed on
women in the early 20th century. The research may explore the protagonist's
struggles for identity and autonomy.

3. Postcolonial Perspectives:
 Example: Investigating Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" through a
postcolonial lens. The research may explore how Achebe challenges colonial
representations of Africa, offering an indigenous perspective on the impact of
colonialism on traditional societies.

4. Psychoanalytic Interpretation:
 Example: Applying Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory to analyze the
characters and their motivations in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet." The research
may delve into the psychological complexities of Hamlet's character and the
broader themes of guilt, desire, and power.

5. Comparative Literature Studies:

  Example: Comparing the works of Gabriel García Márquez and Isabel Allende to
explore how magical realism is used to convey socio-political realities in Latin
American literature. The research may examine how each author employs this
literary technique uniquely.

6. Cultural Studies and Identity:

 Example: Researching the representation of identity and cultural hybridity in
Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Namesake." The study may analyze how Lahiri's characters
negotiate their identity in the diasporic context, bridging the gap between their
cultural heritage and the adopted culture.

7. Environmental Literary Criticism (Eco-Criticism):

 Example: Investigating Barbara Kingsolver's "Prodigal Summer" from an eco-
critical perspective. The research may explore how the novel engages with
ecological themes, advocating for environmental conservation and sustainability.

8. Digital Humanities in Literary Studies:

 Example: Using computational methods to analyze patterns and themes across a
large corpus of Victorian literature. Research may involve text mining to identify
recurring motifs or linguistic trends, providing quantitative insights into literary
trends of the era.

In these examples, research in literature extends beyond simple textual analysis, incorporating
theoretical frameworks and interdisciplinary perspectives to uncover deeper meanings and
contribute to the broader understanding of literary works and their cultural, social, and historical
contexts.