A concise guide for all your readings
September 12, 2024
“Animal Farm” by George Orwell is a satirical allegory that tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, Mr. Jones, in an attempt to create an egalitarian society. However, their idealistic vision of a utopia soon turns into a dictatorship, as the pigs, led by Napoleon, seize control
READ MORE“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker is an epistolary novel that tells the powerful and poignant story of Celie, an African-American woman living in rural Georgia in the early 20th century. Through a series of letters, Celie chronicles her life, struggles, and ultimate triumph over adversity, as she finds her voice and reclaims her identity.
READ MORE“The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a powerful novel set in 17th-century Puritan New England. The story follows Hester Prynne, a young woman who is branded with the scarlet letter “A” after committing adultery and conceiving a child out of wedlock. The novel explores themes of sin, guilt, redemption, and the hypocrisy of society.
READ MORE“Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston is a novel that tells the story of Janie Crawford, an African-American woman living in the early 20th century. The narrative traces Janie’s journey through three marriages as she seeks to find her own identity, love, and fulfillment in a society defined by racial and gender
READ MORE“Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a psychological novel that delves into the depths of the human psyche, morality, and the consequences of one’s actions. The story follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a destitute ex-student in St. Petersburg, as he commits a heinous crime and grapples with the psychological and moral repercussions that follow. The novel
READ MORE“King Lear” by William Shakespeare is a tragic play that explores themes of power, madness, betrayal, and the consequences of human folly. The story follows the aging King Lear as he makes the fateful decision to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, leading to a series of tragic events that ultimately result in his
READ MORE“Antigone” is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the 5th century BCE. The play centers around the conflict between divine law and human law, as well as the consequences of one’s choices. The story follows Antigone, a young woman who defies the king’s decree to bury her brother, leading to a series of tragic
READ MORE“The Death of Ivan Ilyich” by Leo Tolstoy is a philosophical novella that explores the themes of mortality, the search for meaning in life, and the fear of death. The story follows the life and ultimate demise of Ivan Ilyich, a high-ranking government official in 19th-century Russia. The novella begins with the news of Ivan
READ MORE“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck is a classic novella set during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The story revolves around two drifters, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they navigate a harsh and unforgiving world in search of a place to call their own and a sense of belonging. The novella begins
READ MORE“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is a memoir written by Maya Angelou that recounts her early years growing up in racially segregated America. The book provides a powerful and poignant exploration of Angelou’s experiences as she navigates her way through a difficult childhood, finding her voice and ultimately triumphing over adversity. The memoir
READ MORE“Medea” by Euripides is a tragic play that explores the depths of human passion, revenge, and the consequences of unchecked fury. The play centers around the protagonist, Medea, a woman of great intellect and cunning, whose actions and decisions drive the dramatic events that unfold. The play opens with Medea, a foreigner and former princess,
READ MORE“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë is a timeless classic that tells the story of its eponymous protagonist, Jane Eyre, as she navigates her challenging and unconventional life in nineteenth-century England. The novel explores themes of love, independence, social class, and the quest for self-identity. The story begins with Jane as a young orphan living with
READ MORE“Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller is a renowned American tragedy that delves into the life of Willy Loman, a traveling salesman in his sixties who is struggling with his fading career and deteriorating mental state. The play explores themes of the American Dream, identity, and the corrosive effects of capitalism. The play opens
READ MORE“Beloved” by Toni Morrison is a powerful and haunting novel that explores the lasting impact of slavery and trauma on individuals and communities. Set in post-Civil War Ohio, the story follows Sethe, a former slave, as she struggles to rebuild her life and confront the haunting memories of her past. The novel opens with Sethe
READ MORE“Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett is a thought-provoking play that revolves around two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, as they wait for the arrival of someone named Godot. Set in an unspecified location and time, the play explores themes of existentialism, the human condition, and the nature of time. The play opens with Vladimir and
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