To Kill a Mockingbird explores racial injustice and loss of innocence in the American South. It's narrated by Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, who remembers events from her childhood. Scout lives with her older brother Jem and their father, Atticus Finch, a respected lawyer. The story unfolds over three years, focusing on several events. The first being Scout and Jem's fascination with their introverted neighbor, Arthur "Boo" Radley, and their attempts to lure him out.
Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is an amazing work of English literature that continues to captivate readers with its powerful narrative and complex characters. The novel begins with Jane's childhood at Gateshead, where she lives with her cruel aunt, Mrs. Reed, and her cousins. Jane is eventually sent to Lowood School, a harsh school for orphaned girls. Despite the difficult conditions, Jane finds friendship and mentorship. After eight years at Lowood, Jane becomes a teacher there but wants new experiences.
Moby Dick is an amazing work of American literature about a whaling voyage. This epic novel follows Captain Ahab in his pursuit of the white whale, Moby Dick, who took his leg. The narrator, Ishmael, is a young man who decides to go to sea by joining a whaling ship. In Nantucket, he meets and become friends with Queequeg, a skilled harpooner from a South Pacific island. They both sign up to serve on the Pequod, a whaling ship directed by Captain Ahab.
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare is a classic that I’m sure everyone knows about. This story revolves around Julius Caesar and the events leading up to his assassination. Despite his popularity, a group of conspirators, including Brutus, plot against him and carry out his murder. However, their actions set off a chain of tragic events, leading to civil war and their own downfalls.
Anna Karenina is a masterpiece of 19th-century Russian literature that talks about love, marriage, and societal expectations. Tolstoy's novel brings together multiple storylines, focusing on the affair between Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky. Anna, a married aristocrat, begins a passionate affair with the young Count Vronsky. This relationship leads to her social downfall, the loss of her son, and ultimately her tragic end. The affair challenges societal norms and explores themes of love versus societal expectations.
Franny and Zooey, written by J.D. Salinger, offers an intimate exploration of the Glass family, concentrating on the youngest siblings, Franny and Zooey. The narrative commences with Franny meeting her boyfriend for lunch, where her peculiar behavior becomes evident: she has lost her appetite, appears distracted, and diverts their conversation towards religious topics.
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is widely praised in literature for its deep exploration of despair and existential dread. The novel follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a former student living in St. Petersburg, who is utterly struck by poverty and existential torment. Early in the narrative, Raskolnikov murders with the belief he is acting for the greater good.
Bram Stoker's Dracula is a Gothic horror masterpiece that has shaped vampire lore for over a century. The novel's interesting format, combining journal entries, letters, and newspaper articles, creates an immersive and suspenseful narrative. The novel begins with Jonathan Harker, a young English solicitor, traveling to Transylvania to help Count Dracula with a real estate transaction. Harker soon becomes a prisoner in Dracula's castle and discovers the Count's vampiric nature.
Frankenstein is a groundbreaking gothic novel that explores themes of ambition, responsibility, and the nature of humanity. Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, creates a creature in a scientific experiment. Horrified by his creation, Victor abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, becomes bitter and seeks revenge on its creator. The story is told through many letters written by Captain Walton, who meets Victor in the Arctic and records his tale.
The Crucible is an incredible play following the Salem Witch Trials. It follows the experiences of the accused and the accusers during the trials. It draws implicit comparisons to other witchhunts seen throughout history, such as McCarthyism. Miller expertly draws these comparisons without saying anything explicitly. Characters such as Abigail, Reverend Hale, and John Proctor create an engaging cast. Anybody with a love of theater and history should read this masterpiece of a play.
