Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

Articles
Writers
 
Browse Sections
Home Reading & Literature World Literatures Latest Contributing Articles

World Literatures

Latest Contributing Articles


 		Review – The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon
Gossipy, humourous, and ultimately moving, Sei Shonagon's memoirs constitute a remarkable portrait of daily life in the Empress's court during the Heian period in Japan.
Introduction to the Work of Benito Pérez Galdós
Benito Pérez Galdós (1843-1920) was an influential novelist, whose work spanned the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a story of human relationships and the search to find meaning in life.
Patrick White's Enduring Lesson
Australian Nobel Prize-winning fiction writer Patrick White, who died in 1990, possessed a brilliance for language that suggests film is a limited medium.
Good Will Hunting
An Elizabethan Detective Hunt
The Summer Book, a Book Review
In "The Summer Book" Jansson creates and focuses on a small sanctuary of natural space, a perfect place for a six year old girl to discover many of life's mysteries.
Isabella Bird, A Lady's Life in Rocky Mountains
When a sickly British spinster decided to travel into the wilds of Colorado, she had no idea that notorious desperado "Mountain Jim" would fall in love with her.
Oxford English Dictionary and Literary Ambiguity
When searching for theme or meaning in literature, one way for students, teachers, and writers to tap into ideas is to find word history in the Oxford English Dictionary.
A New Definition of Dr Johnson at 300
Was Dr Johnson one of the first sufferers from Tourette's Syndrome?
Literary Technique – Analogy
When authors or artists want to make a comparison in order to instruct or teach the audience, they may select the tool of an analogy.
Literary Technique – Understatement
Whenever a writer wants to convey a sense of coolness in the midst of turmoil, the understatement is a popular way to minimize an impact.
Literary Technique – Innuendo
The innuendo is a favorite literary or social device to provide unsavory or negative information about someone in a quick, succinct, indirect fashion, like a soundbite.
Literary Technique – Overstatement
Overstatement is a favorite tool of everyone, not just limited to writers and artists. While the impulse to exaggerate is world-wide, overstatement is typically American.
Literary Technique – Oxymoron
When writers and artists want to quickly capture the audience's attention and make a point, they often turn to the oxymoron. Juxtaposing images or ideas packs a punch.
Literary Technique – Paradox
When faced with conflicting ideas or experiences in life, often writers and artists will use the paradox, a tool that helps explain how two opposing ideas can be true.
Literary Technique – Ambiguity
Writers who are looking to expand or condense their writings often turn to classic literature and reference works such as Shakespeare or the Oxford English Dictionary.
Literary Technique – Verbal Imagery in Writing
When writers are working to be creative and effective, often they will stretch beyond similes, metaphors, and symbols, and pump up their writing with strong verbs.
Widsith: Glimpses of a Heroic Germanic World
Widisith is a short poem about the great travels of Widsith, the scop. It gives an idea of the historic greatness and the heroic legends prevalent in world of Germania.
Literary Technique Metaphor
Whenever writers want to strengthen a comparison, they use a metaphor. Without the weakening influence of the words "like" or "as," a metaphor compares directly.
Literary Technique Similes in Literature
All writers strive to bring readers into the writer's world. One of the most common tools is the simile, which can illuminate an unknown world through the familiar world.
Literary Technique Symbol in Human Life and Art
Our world is filled with symbols that people often fail to notice, and take for granted. Symbols help enlighten works of art and human psychology and motivation.
Beowulf – The Perfect Heroic Spirit
Beowulf is a heroic poem composed around the eighth century, celebrating the exploits of the great warrior, Beowulf.
Women in Anita Desai's Clear Light of Day
Anita Desai's Clear Light of Day follows two sisters, Tara and Bim, as they reconstruct their childhood memories of their Old Delhi house, where Tara is visiting Bim.
Paulo Coelho's The Valkyries – A Review
Coelho's novel entices the mind's soul, and captivates the mind's eye.
Russian Dramatic Greats - Chekhov & Stanislavski
Chekhov revolutionised dramatic form in 19th century Russian theatre whilst his collaboration with Stanislavski solidified his legacy in Russia's literary canon.
Sam De Brito at Waverley Literary Festival
Journalist Sam de Brito gave a 7:30am talk about his book The Lost Boys on Friday, at Gertrude and Alice Café and Bookstore in Bondi.
Review – The Voice by Gabriel Okara
Okara's novella follows the path of a man who seeks truth and knowledge in post- colonial Nigeria.
The Temptation of Christ
Jesus entering the desert for forty days resembles rituals from many other cultures that aim at gaining enlightenment through self-induced trauma.
Vice and Violence in Shakespeare
Despite what many may believe, Shakespeare wrote more than just brooding drama. He wrote popular theatre, full of jokes, violence, sexual innuendo, and plenty of crass.
Kappa, by Akutagawa Ryunosuke - Book Review
One of the most popular Japanese folktale creatures is "kappa". Among the many kappa folktales, beloved in Japan, is the short-story "Kappa" by Akutagawa Ryunosuke.
Literary Analysis of The Death of Ivan Ilyich
Leo Tolstoy's, The Death of Ivan Ilyich sends a relentlessly truthful message to society that compels his readers to think about what really matters in life.
The Myth of Atrahasis
The origins of the flood story can be traced back to the mythology of ancient Mesopotamia and the tale of Atrahasis, who was warned to build a boat and save life.
Russian Dramatic Greats - Gogol
The second part of 'Russian Dramatic Greats' focuses on the dramatic works of Nikolai Gogol and on his innovative contributions to19th century Russian theatre.
Hamlet – A Revenge Tragedy
Shakespeare's most famous tragedy is one of the most revered pieces of literature in the history of the discipline. It is a revenge tragedy made profound.
Setting in Shakespeare's As You Like It
As You Like It is one of William Shakespeare's most popular comedies. Most of the action takes place in the Forest of Arden: find out why it is important!
African Women Tell Their Side of the Story
African women have always had stories to tell. However, not enough of the women are putting their writing to paper for others to read.
French Author Faiza Guene
Faiza Guène is the child of Algerian immigrants. She was born in France in 1985 and grew up in the Les Courtillières housing project, northeast of Paris.
New Books on Africa – Notable Nonfiction in 2009
A round-up of 15 recommended new books on contemporary African politics and society.
Russian Dramatic Greats - Sumarokov & Pushkin
The first part of 'Russian Dramatic Greats' provides a comprehensive guide to the initial development of Russian theatre i.e. religious theatre, Sumarokov and Pushkin.
Paulo Coelho's Eleven Minutes; A Review
A story about a taboo subject and the mingling of love, give this masterpiece a life all its own.
Homer's Depiction of the Dead Human Body
Homer describes and names the dead human body as a whole, unified entity, even though he does not describe or name the active or passive body in the same way.
Homer's Depiction of the Passive Human Body
Homer describes the parts of the passive living human body as being interrelated, but he does not describe or name the passive body as a whole, unified entity.
Homer's Depiction of the Human Body
Homer does not describe or name the active living human body as a whole, unified entity. His description is of a fragmented body and various powers of motivation.
A Review of The Iguana by Anna Maria Ortese
The Iguana is a magical realist novel full of surprises. It was written in 1963 by Anna Maria Ortese and published two years later.
In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami – Book Review
Ryu Murakami offers a bold story that dares the reader to question the possible merits of violence and the monotony of modern society.
The Life and Works of Erich Kaestner
Erich Kaestner (1899 -1974), a journalist, novelist, dramatist and poet, whose books were banned under the Nazi regime, is best known for his charming children's books.
Reading List: Fall & Winter 2009 – 2010
The weather outside is questionable, and a good list of titles is in order. Try this one on for size.
Reading List: Fall & Winter 2009 – 2010
When the weather outside begins to cool off for the year, and the next rain or snow storm begins to set in, it is nice to have a good book list to curl up with.
Anna Maria Ortese, a Great Italian Writer
One of the greatest Italian writers of the twentieth century, Anna Maria Ortese has yet to receive the full recognition that her visionary work so utterly deserves.
Review: Some Prefer Nettles – Junichiro Tanizaki
Tradition and modernity confront each other as an urbane Tokyo couple face difficulty in divorce amidst Japan in the nineteen twenties.