A concise guide for all your readings
October 18, 2024
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen is a classic novel set in 19th-century England that revolves around the Bennet family and their quest for love, marriage, and social status. The story primarily focuses on the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth Bennet, as she navigates societal expectations, misconceptions, and her own personal biases. The novel opens with
READ MORE“The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka is a novella that tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect-like creature. This bizarre transformation sets the stage for a profound exploration of identity, alienation, and the human condition. The story begins with Gregor waking
READ MORE“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare is a tragic play that explores the corrupting influence of ambition, guilt, and supernatural forces. Set in Scotland, the play follows the titular character, Macbeth, as he rises to power through treacherous means and descends into madness and despair. The play begins with Macbeth, a brave and loyal Scottish general, encountering
READ MORE“Othello” by William Shakespeare is a tragic play that explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, love, and racism. Set in Venice, the play follows the Moorish general Othello as he falls victim to the manipulations of his ensign Iago, leading to tragic consequences for himself and those around him. The play opens with Iago, resentful of
READ MORE“The Complete Persepolis” is an autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi that depicts her coming-of-age during the Iranian Revolution and the subsequent Islamic regime. Through vivid illustrations and poignant storytelling, Satrapi provides a personal and insightful account of her experiences, capturing the complex social and political climate of Iran during that time. The story begins
READ MORE“A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen is a groundbreaking play that explores the themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and the search for personal identity. Set in the late 19th century, the play follows Nora Helmer, a young wife and mother, as she navigates the confines of her stifling marriage and confronts the hypocrisy of
READ MORE“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare is a tragedy that tells the story of Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who is tormented by the ghost of his father and driven to seek revenge for his murder. The play explores themes of revenge, madness, mortality, and the complexity of human nature. The play opens with the ghost of King
READ MORE“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and enigmatic man who is obsessed with winning back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man who becomes entangled in the lives of Gatsby and his wealthy neighbors in 1920s
READ MOREWhat is the main point of A Streetcar Named Desire? “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams is a renowned play that delves into themes of desire, illusion, and the clash of old and new values.
READ MORE“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood is a dystopian novel that presents a chilling vision of a future society called Gilead. Set in a totalitarian regime that has overthrown the United States, the story is narrated by Offred, a handmaid who is stripped of her identity, freedoms, and reproductive rights. In Gilead, a theocratic and
READ MOREWhen you make love you’re using up energy; and afterwards you feel happy and don’t give a damn for anything. They can’t bear you to feel like that. They want you to be bursting with energy all the time. All this marching up and down and cheering and waving flags is simply sex gone sour. If you’re happy inside yourself, why should you get excited about Big Brother and the Three-Year Plans and the Two Minutes Hate and all the rest of their bloody rot? -1984, Orwell
READ MORE“An Artist of the Floating World” by Kazuo Ishiguro is a poignant and introspective novel that explores themes of memory, regret, and personal accountability. Set in post-World War II Japan, the story follows the life of Masuji Ono, an aging artist grappling with his past and the changing society around him. The narrative is framed
READ MOREAs the elders said, if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings.
READ MOREMEMORIES WE LOST a short story by Lidudumalingani Mqombothi Question: “Understanding, love and care is all that patients suffering from mental illness need.” Essay by Chris Hani Misama Ogweno (chrismisama@gmail.com) Mental illnesses are devastating to the people affected. These people need heartfelt affection to make them feel comfortable. In Mqombothi’s short
READ MOREMEMORIES WE LOST a short story by Lidudumalingani Mqombothi (South Africa) Chris Hani Misama Ogweno (chrismisama@gmail.com) The story is narrated by a girl whose elder sister is schizophrenic. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that causes periodic episodes of hallucinations known as psychotic episodes. The story explores the struggles of the
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