When international students first hear the term English literature, they might think only of Shakespeare or classic novels. In reality, English literature is a much broader field, filled with centuries of diverse voices and ideas. It is the study of human stories told through the English language across time, geography, and culture.
Read on to explore what English literature means, how it differs from literature more broadly, and why choosing this major at a US university can be a rewarding path for international students.
What Is English Literature?
English literature is the collection of written works created in the English language, covering a wide range of genres such as poetry, plays, novels, essays, and short stories. It extends from the earliest Old English texts of the Middle Ages to contemporary works that reflect modern global issues.
At its heart, English literature is about storytelling. Across centuries, writers have captured universal human experiences — love and loss, power and justice, identity and belonging — and shared them in ways that continue to resonate with readers.
In the early medieval period, for example, the epic Beowulf celebrated heroism and the values of early English society. During the Renaissance, William Shakespeare’s plays captured timeless human struggles in ways that still inspire readers and audiences today. In the 19th century, authors like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens turned their attention to class, gender, and the impact of industrialization. By the 20th and 21st centuries, English literature had become truly global, with writers from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean adding diverse perspectives that continue to shape the field.
For international students wondering “what is English literature,” the study of this subject involves looking into more than just a list of famous books. It is the study of how language shapes culture, identity, and even political change. Studying English literature combines language mastery with cultural exploration, giving students both creative insight and practical skills that can be applied across many careers.
Now that you understand what English literature is, let’s explore how it fits into the wider category of literature itself.
Literature vs English Literature: What’s the Difference?
A common question students have is “what is literature” and how does it compare to English literature. While the two are closely related, there are important differences that shape what you study in each field.
Broadly speaking, literature refers to any written works that have artistic, cultural, or intellectual value. It can be written in any language and comes in many forms: novels, plays, poems, short stories, and essays. Literature is how societies express their values, explore human emotions, and tell stories that endure across generations.
For example:
French literature includes works like Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and Voltaire’s Candide, which reflect themes of justice, philosophy, and revolution.
Russian literature features authors such as Leo Tolstoy (War and Peace) and Fyodor Dostoevsky (Crime and Punishment), who dealt with questions of morality, faith, and human nature.
Arabic literature includes the poetry of Rumi and the novels of Naguib Mahfouz, which explore love, spirituality, and modern identity.
Literature as a whole is global, as it represents the voices of many different peoples, cultures, and historical periods.
English literature, on the other hand, focuses specifically on works written in English. It began with Old English texts like Beowulf, grew through Middle English with Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, and flourished in modern English with Shakespeare. Today, it includes voices from Britain, the US, and around the world.
For example:
In Britain, authors like Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Virginia Woolf created classics that are still studied and celebrated today.
In the US, writers such as Mark Twain, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou gave voice to American culture and history.
In postcolonial literature, authors like Chinua Achebe (Nigeria), Salman Rushdie (India/UK), and Jamaica Kincaid (Antigua) used English to tell stories of identity, independence, and connections and challenges across cultures.
This global scope makes English literature unique, as it is not tied to one single country or culture, but instead reflects the shared human experience through the medium of the English language.
Understanding the difference between literature and English literature helps you choose the academic path that is right for your personal goals. If you study literature as a broad field, you might compare works across different languages and cultures (often through translations). If you study English literature, you will focus deeply on works written in English, while still exploring diverse perspectives from around the world.
With this foundation in mind, let’s turn to some of the writers who shaped English literature and continue to influence it today.
4 Famous English Literature Writers
Some writers stand out in the history of English literature because their works continue to shape the way we read, think, and speak — even today. Let’s look at four authors whose influence goes far beyond their own time.
William Shakespeare
Known as the “Bard of Avon,” Shakespeare (1564–1616) remains the most influential writer in English literature. His plays and poems explore love, ambition, jealousy, and betrayal, themes that are still relevant today. He also gave us hundreds of phrases still used in the English language today, such as “break the ice” and “wild goose chase.”
Major works and themes:
Hamlet and Macbeth explore ambition, morality, and the human psyche.
Romeo and Juliet examines love, fate, and conflict between generations.
The Tempest engages with themes of colonialism, power, and forgiveness.
Shakespeare’s plays are still performed worldwide, translated into numerous languages, and studied across cultures. For students, Shakespeare offers lessons in language mastery, character development, and timeless questions of humanity.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens (1812–1870) is often seen as the literary voice of Victorian England. His novels combine gripping plots with social critique, giving readers vivid portraits of industrial life, poverty, and class struggles.
Major works and themes:
Oliver Twist exposes the harsh realities of child labor and poverty.
Great Expectations explores ambition, morality, and personal growth.
A Tale of Two Cities dramatizes the turmoil of the French Revolution.
His ability to create unforgettable characters (Scrooge, Pip, Oliver) and his commitment to exposing social injustices make him both entertaining and historically significant. For students, Dickens demonstrates how literature can influence society and reform.
Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) bridged the 19th and 20th centuries, writing novels and poetry that reflected the tension between rural tradition and modern change.
Major works and themes:
Tess of the d’Urbervilles questions gender roles and social morality.
Jude the Obscure critiques restrictive education and religion.
Far from the Madding Crowd portrays love, independence, and resilience.
Hardy’s works offer deep insight into the impact of industrialization on communities, while his lyrical prose connects with readers emotionally. For students, Hardy provides a case study in how literature captures shifting cultural landscapes.
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was known for his wit, style, and playful critiques of Victorian society. He showed that literature can be clever, stylish, and fun, while still raising important questions about society.
Major works and themes:
The Picture of Dorian Gray explores vanity, morality, and corruption.
The Importance of Being Earnest satirizes class, marriage, and identity.
His essays (De Profundis, The Soul of Man Under Socialism) show his philosophical depth.
Wilde challenged societal norms and celebrated individuality and creativity. His works remain relevant for their humor, boldness, and exploration of human desire. For international students, Wilde offers lessons on satire, aesthetics, and cultural critique.
Now that you know a little bit about writers who shaped English literature, it is important to examine some of the most famous works in literature as these continue to define the field today.
3 Famous English Literature Publications
Great works of English literature are more than just stories; they explore human questions, shape cultural traditions, and remain relevant across generations. Many of these works influence modern stories across a wide variety of media, from TV shows and movies to video games and plays. Here are three classic texts that continue to inspire readers, students, and audiences worldwide.
Hamlet
Written by William Shakespeare around 1600, Hamlet is often considered the greatest tragedy in English literature. The play follows Prince Hamlet of Denmark as he seeks revenge against his uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet’s father and seized the throne. What makes Hamlet so enduring is its exploration of timeless themes such as revenge, morality, madness, and uncertainty.
The famous soliloquy, “To be, or not to be,” captures questions about life, death, and human existence that are eternal. For students, studying Hamlet is a chance to see how literature can blend personal struggle with political intrigue, making it one of the most complex and influential works ever written.
Dracula
Bram Stoker’s Dracula, published in 1897, introduced readers to the world’s most famous vampire. Set in both Transylvania and England, the novel tells the story of Count Dracula’s attempt to move to London and the group of people who try to stop him. While Dracula is thrilling as a gothic horror story, it also reflects the cultural anxieties of the Victorian era, particularly fears about science, superstition, and the clash between tradition and modernity.
Its structure, told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper clippings, was groundbreaking at the time and gives the novel a strikingly modern feel. Dracula also shaped the entire vampire genre and has influenced everything from classic films to modern pop culture. For international students, the novel demonstrates how English literature can entertain while also revealing the social concerns of its time.
Romeo and Juliet
Among Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Romeo and Juliet tells the tragic story of two young lovers from feuding families in Verona, Italy. First performed in the late 1500s, the play remains one of the most widely read and adapted works in English literature. The themes of love, fate, family conflict, and youthful passion continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
Over the centuries, Romeo and Juliet has inspired operas, ballets, films, and even Broadway’s West Side Story, showing its ability to connect with different cultures and generations. Its language, too, has left a lasting mark on English, with memorable lines such as “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” still often quoted. For students, the play is a reminder that literature written more than 400 years ago can still feel vibrant and relevant.
These famous works demonstrate how English literature goes beyond just telling stories; it is also about shaping cultural traditions and connecting people across time. So, why should you consider studying English literature?
Why You Should Study English Literature
For today’s students, studying English literature offers much more than analyzing texts from the past. This academic major builds critical thinking skills, broadens perspectives, and deepens cultural understanding.
Studying English literature strengthens your ability to read critically, think deeply, and communicate clearly. Working with complex texts improves vocabulary, grammar, and fluency in English, while classroom discussions and essays train you to express your ideas with confidence. These skills are highly valued in many professional fields, from law and business to media and education.
Literature is also a window into the societies that produced it. When you study Shakespeare, you learn about the values of the Renaissance and the questions that shaped the era. Dickens reveals what life was like during industrialization in Victorian England, while postcolonial writers like Chinua Achebe show how literature responds to colonialism and cultural change. Each text reflects its time, giving the reader insights into history, politics, and identity.
An English literature degree also prepares students for a wide range of careers. Graduates often go into teaching, publishing, and journalism, but many also succeed in law, marketing, communications, and international relations. Employers value skills developed by students of English literature, such as the ability to analyze information, think critically, and write persuasively.
Finally, studying English literature helps students connect with voices from around the world. Writers from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and other regions bring their own experiences and perspectives into the English literary tradition. For international students, this diversity shows how human experiences are shared across cultures.
If you are considering studying English literature abroad, the US offers some of the best opportunities to explore the subject in depth.
Study English Literature at the Best US Universities with Shorelight’s Help!
Choosing to study English literature in the US provides international students with access to world-class universities, expert faculty, and vibrant campus communities. English literature programs in the US explore British classics, American writers, multicultural voices, global perspectives, and more, giving you a well-rounded understanding of the subject.
With Shorelight, you can get matched with universities offering strong English literature programs, receive admissions guidance, navigate US immigration processes with confidence, and more. Shorelight is here to help you every step of the way during your study abroad journey.
For international students, studying English literature in the US is an exciting opportunity to improve language skills, expand critical thinking, and prepare for careers where communication and analysis matter most. With Shorelight by your side, you can turn a love of reading and storytelling into an academic path that will enrich your education and career, while fostering lifelong learning.
Talk to an advisor about English literature programs at Shorelight universities >
