For my english class I need to do a research paper using some of the books we've read. So far we've read Kokoro, The Mystic Masseur, Midaq Alley,One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich and The Trial. My teacher said the research can be about the culture from which the book emerges, or my focus can be related to a subject or theme treated in two or more novels. The only idea I could think of was cultural identity,and I think that is kind of a broad topic.Does anyone have any other ideas that relate to two or more books

Thank you

Perhaps use a theme of how an individual rose above social disconnect and desolation to become "successful" or a better person or was able to reach a clearer understanding of his fate/life's purpose/role and what tools did he use to achieve that?

I liked part of your first idea,but I need to be more specfic.
Okay, let's chew around on that. Can you get more specific, and also do the same with another of the books listed?

When I actually write the paper, I plan on using more in depth examples,I was just showing you a quick example of what I thought would work. Is that what you meant? Maybe I could combine the social disconnect idea with the cultural identity?

Maybe I could combine the social disconnect idea with the cultural identity?
How long does the paper have to be? Start with generalities of cultural identity, move into the problem of social disconnect, and then compare and contrast two of your characters from two different books?

The paper has to be 8 to 10 pages,double spaced.

The paper has to be 8 to 10 pages,double spaced.
Choose two of the books -- and two characters? The Naipaul book sounds like it would be a good choice.

Do you need a bibliography?

Yeah we have to cite the books we use and any other outside sources

I finally got a good topic. I decided to do changing of women's roles. They seemed to be present in Mystic Masseur and Kokoro. Not really sure how though,can anyone elaborate on the subject. I know it was present in Mystic Masseur because of the way Leela acted and how she was regarded in Society. As for Kokoro, I guess it fits because Ojosan was running the house and then Okusan because she was the typical wife. Can anyone give any more examples?