Our Work With Literature

A Dive Into Another's Mind

At the International Department of Historical Research (IDHR), we engage in comprehensive literary analysis that spans across all periods and genres of written works. Our team works extensively with both modern and ancient texts, approaching each book with meticulous attention to detail and scholarly rigor. We begin by conducting thorough readings of selected works, followed by in-depth research into their historical, cultural, and literary contexts.

Our analytical process involves creating detailed notes and comprehensive summaries that capture not only the narrative elements but also the deeper layers of meaning embedded within each text. We carefully examine and identify the various literary devices and rhetorical strategies employed by authors, analyzing how techniques such as symbolism, metaphor, foreshadowing, irony, and narrative structure contribute to the overall impact and effectiveness of the work. This includes studying patterns of imagery, examining character development arcs, and identifying thematic elements that connect to broader human experiences.

Beyond the text itself, we extensively research the background circumstances surrounding each work's creation. This involves studying the author's biographical details, their historical period, the social and political climate during the time of writing, and the cultural movements that may have influenced their work. We analyze how these external factors shaped the author's perspective and influenced their creative choices.

Our analysis also focuses on identifying and interpreting the tone, mood, and underlying meanings present throughout each work. We examine how authors use language, pacing, and structure to convey their intended messages and evoke specific emotional responses from readers. This comprehensive approach allows us to uncover layers of significance that might not be immediately apparent to casual readers, providing insights that enhance understanding and appreciation of literature across all time periods and cultural contexts.

Examples of What We Worked/Will Soon Work With 

Western Literature:

  • Night - Elie Wiesel's Holocaust memoir documenting survival in Nazi concentration camps
  • Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe's novel about colonialism's impact on traditional Igbo society
  • Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury's dystopian tale of a society that burns books to suppress knowledge
  • "Hope is the thing with feathers" by Emily Dickinson - This poem uses an extended metaphor comparing hope to a bird that perches in the soul, sings without words, and never asks for anything in return. It's one of her most famous works about resilience and the enduring nature of hope
  • "An Old Man's Winter Night" by Robert Frost - This poem depicts an elderly man alone in his house during a harsh winter night, exploring themes of isolation, aging, and humanity's relationship with nature. The man tends his fire and contemplates his place in the vast, cold world.
  • "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl - A darkly humorous short story about a pregnant woman who kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb, then serves the murder weapon to the investigating police officers.
  • "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry - Classic short story about a young married couple who each secretly sell their most prized possession to buy a Christmas gift for the other, creating an ironic but touching situation.
  • "The Possibility of Evil" by Shirley Jackson - A short story about an elderly woman who secretly writes anonymous poison-pen letters to her neighbors, believing she's protecting her town from evil.
  • "The Flight From Conversation" by Sherry Turkle - Essay examining how digital technology, particularly smartphones and social media, is changing the way we communicate and potentially diminishing our capacity for deep, meaningful conversation.
  • Excerpt from Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change The World by Jane McGonigal - Non-fiction book arguing that video games can solve real-world problems and improve society by harnessing the engagement and problem-solving skills they develop.
  • The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton's coming-of-age story about rival teenage gangs and social class divisions
  • The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett's children's novel about healing and friendship in a mysterious garden
  • Sophie's World - Jostein Gaarder's philosophical novel teaching the history of philosophy through a young girl's journey
  • The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis's fantasy series following children's adventures in a magical world
    • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - four siblings discover magical world of Narnia through a wardrobe and help defeat the White Witch
    • Prince Caspian - the Pevensie children return to Narnia to help rightful prince reclaim throne from his usurping uncle
    • The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - Edmund, Lucy, and cousin Eustace join King Caspian on sea voyage to find seven lost lords
    • The Silver Chair - Eustace and classmate Jill rescue Prince Rilian from underground kingdom ruled by evil Green Witch
    • The Horse and His Boy - young boy and talking horse flee from cruel master and uncover plot against Narnia
    • The Magician's Nephew - origin story showing creation of Narnia and how the wardrobe came to be magical
    • The Last Battle - final tale depicting the end of Narnia and the characters' entrance into Aslan's eternal country

Eastern Literature:

  • 鬼滅の刃 (Kimetsu no Yaiba) - manga series about a young demon slayer seeking to cure his transformed sister
    • 最終選別編 (Final Selection Arc / Saishū Senbetsu-hen) - Tanjiro passes the demon slayer entrance examination
    • 誘拐犯編 (Kidnappers Arc / Yūkaihan-hen) - first mission rescuing kidnapped children from demons
    • 浅草編 (Asakusa Arc / Asakusa-hen) - encounter with demon king Muzan and meeting ally demon Tamayo
    • 鼓屋敷編 (Tsuzumi Mansion Arc / Tsuzumi Yashiki-hen) - battle against former Lower Rank demon in rotating mansion
    • 那田蜘蛛山編 (Mount Natagumo Arc / Natagumo-yama-hen) - confrontation with spider demon family on the mountain
    • 機能回復訓練編 (Rehabilitation Training Arc / Kinō Kaifuku Kunren-hen) - recovery and training after Mount Natagumo battle
    • 無限列車編 (Mugen Train Arc / Mugen Ressha-hen) - mission aboard demon-infested train with Flame Hashira
    • 遊郭編 (Entertainment District Arc / Yūkaku-hen) - infiltrating Yoshiwara district to hunt Upper Rank demons
    • 刀鍛冶の里編 (Swordsmith Village Arc / Katanakaji no Sato-hen) - protecting village where demon slayer weapons are forged
    • 柱稽古編 (Hashira Training Arc / Hashira Keiko-hen) - intensive training with all Hashira pillars
    • 無限城編 (Infinity Castle Arc / Mugen-jō-hen) - final battle in Muzan's dimensional fortress
    • 日の出編 (Sunrise Arc / Hinode-hen) - aftermath and epilogue showing characters' futures
  • 紅楼梦 (The Dream of Red Mansions) - classic Chinese novel depicting the rise and fall of aristocratic families
  • 三国演义 (Romance of the Three Kingdoms) - historical Chinese epic chronicling the power struggles during the fall of the Han Dynasty

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