A question about: Julius Caesar, Marat/Sade, Pit and the Pendulum, In the Penal Colony & Maus?

I have a research essay for my English 104 cl, and I SERIOUSLY have NO IDEA what theme I should use for the books mentioned above! The semester's theme is "The individual and the state" and every piece has a relevance to violence and torture, socialism and such... but I don't want to go that route... any other creative suggestions?