The essay has been an integral part of literature since its inception. It is a form of expression that allows writers to convey their thoughts and ideas on a particular subject or topic succinctly. As such, it has long been used as a tool for exploring literary themes and topics from all eras and genres. In this article, we will explore how essays have impacted literature throughout history, as well as examine some prominent examples of essay-based works from various authors.

Essays are unique in that they can be used to cover both broad concepts and narrow topics with equal effectiveness. For example, one could use an essay to discuss larger issues like morality or justice while also examining more specific questions, like why certain characters behave the way they do within a work of fiction. This versatility makes them ideal for discussing complex matters found in many types of literature, including novels, poetry collections, and plays.

In addition to providing insight into literary texts themselves, essays have also served as sources of inspiration for other forms of writing over time; indeed, many great works owe their existence at least partially to the power of the written word contained within these concise yet effective pieces. One particularly notable example comes from William Wordsworth's Lines Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey (1798), which was inspired by his earlier musings on nature contained within An Essay Toward Solitude (1793). Similarly, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818) draws heavily upon her own philosophical reflections about life after death, which were originally published in her short story collection Zastrozzi: A Romance (1810). Other famous authors whose works were influenced by essays include Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who wrote Biographia Literaria (1816) based on his earlier attempts at elucidating philosophy through prose found in On Poesy or Art (1795), Charles Dickens, whose Great Expectations was partly inspired by Thomas De Quincey's Confessions of an English Opium Eater and Suspiria De Profundis (both 1822), and Herman Melville, whose Moby Dick drew influence from Joseph Glanvill's Saducismus Triumphatus (1681).

While many classic books may draw upon themes explored previously through essays, there are also numerous examples where entire novels exist because someone wanted to write something longer than what would fit inside even several connected papers; John Steinbeck's East of Eden is perhaps the most prominent example here given how much he expanded upon ideas first introduced during his travels around California collected under Travels With Charley in Search of America (1962). Even today, countless modern stories continue this tradition largely due to the ease with which readers can get absorbed into them, whether it be through Stephen King's Carrie, a drawn-out horror novel, or Nora Roberts' romantic comedies designed specifically to capture hearts everywhere, regardless if those fans had read any previous nonfiction material concerning similar subjects before then or not.

Ultimately, whatever your opinion may be regarding essays, chances are you'll find yourself encountering quite a few during the course, reading different types of literature, no matter the genre, period, era, author, etc. As such, learning to appreciate skillfully crafted ones when you come across them benefits the reader.