The character Mia in the novel “If I stay” becomes a symbol of typical biophysical behavior; Emotions are simply the manifestations of physically stored energy. After she falls into a coma, and subsequently loses her entire family, she struggles with thanatophobia–a fear of death characterized by anxiety, dread, and distress. It is difficult to find her … Read more
“The Help” is a novel by Kathryn Stockett about African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s. The novel explores the themes of race, class, and gender. The novel was published in 2009 and became a bestseller. It has been made into a movie starring Viola Davis and Emma … Read more
The Pearl is a novel written by John Steinbeck that was published in 1947. The story is set in La Paz, Mexico and follows the life of Kino, a pearl diver. The novel explores themes of greed, power, and evil. The Pearl has been adapted into several films and a stage play. The novel begins … Read more
Looking for Alaska is a novel by John Green. It was published in 2005 and won the Michael L. Printz Award. The story is about a young man named Miles Halter who leaves his home in Florida to attend a boarding school in Alabama. There he meets a girl named Alaska Young and becomes friends … Read more
Tess of the D’Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy, is a novel about Tess Durbeyfield, a low-class country girl who is lured into an affair by Alec D’Urberville, a wealthy playboy. Tess’s family is hoping that Alec will marry Tess and raise their social status, but Alec only wants Tess for her body. He ruins her life, … Read more
The Book Thief is a novel about the power of words. Nazi Germany was a country where words were used to control and manipulate people. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime used words to stir up hatred and violence. The Book Thief is a story that shows how words can also be used to resist … Read more
Monster is a novel by Walter Dean Myers. The novel tells the story of Steve Harmon, a teenage boy who is on trial for his role in a robbery gone wrong. The novel explores the themes of justice and morality, and asks the question of whether or not people can truly be judged by their … Read more
Isabel Allende’s novel The Judge’s Wife tells the story of a woman who is married to a judge. She is unhappy with her marriage and decides to leave her husband. She then meets a man who she believes is her true love. However, she soon realizes that he is not who she thought he was. … Read more
Sherman Alexie’s novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian tells the story of a Native American teenager, Junior, who leaves his reservation to attend an all-white high school. Throughout the novel, Junior struggles with his identity as a Native American. He is constantly torn between his two worlds – the reservation and the … Read more
There is no doubt that To Kill a Mockingbird is an important novel. It tells a story of race and injustice in America that is still relevant today. However, there are some who feel that the book is too graphic and offensive, and argue that it should be banned from schools and libraries. Here are … Read more
Ayn Rand’s novel The Comprachicos is a fascinating exploration of the psychology and philosophy of education. Rand argues that the purpose of education is to teach children how to think for themselves and make their own decisions. She believes that the best way to do this is to provide them with a rich intellectual environment … Read more
Golding shows conflict in Lord of the Flies in a number of ways. Perhaps most notably, he shows conflict between the boys themselves. There is the obvious conflict between Ralph and Jack, but there are also smaller conflicts between other pairs and groups of boys. Golding also shows conflict between the boys and the environment, … Read more
Biblical allusion is a prominent feature in the novel Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Set against the backdrop of South Africa’s turbulent political and social climate in the early 20th century, this novel explores themes of racism, corruption, and injustice through powerful imagery and symbolism inspired by the Bible. Throughout the novel, various … Read more
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson that explores the duality of human nature and the dark, hidden desires lurking beneath the surface. Set in Victorian-era London, the novel tells the story of Henry Jekyll, a respected doctor who experiments with mind-altering drugs in an attempt … Read more
William Faulkner is one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century, known for his powerful and evocative writing style. One of his most acclaimed works is the short story “Barn Burning”, which explores themes of class conflict, social injustice, and morality. Set in rural Mississippi during the late 19th century, “Barn Burning” tells … Read more
In the classic novel The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne and Roger Chillingworth are two very different characters with unique motivations and behaviors. While Hester is a strong and independent woman who takes responsibility for her actions, Dimmesdale is an insecure man who hides behind his reputation as a pious clergyman to avoid facing his own … Read more
Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. The expression of themes in Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio is evident through the characters, setting, and symbolism. The first theme that is expressed in Winesburg, Ohio is isolation. The town itself is isolated from the rest of the world and the characters … Read more
The Maze Runner by James Dashner is a science fiction novel that tells the story of a group of boys who are trying to escape from a maze. The novel uses several literary devices to create an engaging and suspenseful story. One of the most important devices used in The Maze Runner is foreshadowing. Throughout … Read more
The Once And Future King is a novel by T. H. White that was first published in 1958. The novel tells the story of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. The Once And Future King has been adapted into several films and television series over the years. The Once And Future King … Read more
Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, is a classic of 20th century literature. The book follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a World War II veteran who is unstuck in time and has experienced moments from his life out of sequence. The novel is set primarily in the city of Dresden, Germany, during the Allies’ bombing campaign … Read more
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel by Mark Twain that was published in 1884. The novel follows the adventures of a young boy named Huck Finn who runs away from home and floats down the Mississippi River on a raft. Along the way, he encounters a number of people and conflict situations. One … Read more
Frankenstein is one of the most famous novels in history, and for good reason. It addresses some of the deepest ethical questions that we as a society face. Mary Shelley was ahead of her time in many ways, and her novel Frankenstein continues to be relevant today. The central conflict in Frankenstein is between science … Read more
Winston Smith is the main character of 1984, a novel written by George Orwell. In the novel, Winston is a member of the Outer Party, who lives in the nation of Oceania. Winston is unhappy with the Party and its rules, and he dreams of rebellion. However, he does not act on his desires, until … Read more
John Gardner’s Grendel is a novel that explores the concept of good vs. evil. The story is told from the perspective of the monster, Grendel, and his battle with the hero, Beowulf. At first, it may seem like a simple tale of good vs. evil, but there is much more to it than that. Gardner … Read more
The Grapes of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck that explores the themes of strength and sacrifice. The novel tells the story of the Joad family, who are forced to leave their home due to the Dust Bowl and economic hardship. The family travels west in search of a better life, but they face … Read more
Holden Caulfield is the protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye, and the novel is a largely autobiographical account of his life. Holden’s character traits include being highly judgmental, deeply cynical, and extremely angry. He is also incredibly intelligent and articulate. Holden is a teenager who is struggling to find his place in the world. … Read more
Like Water for Chocolate is a novel by Mexican author Laura Esquivel. The novel tells the story of Tita De La Garza, a young woman who is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro Muzquiz, because of a century-old family tradition. Instead, she is forced to marry his older brother, Alejandro. Tita express her feelings … Read more
Foreshadowing is often used in literature to hint at what is to come later in the story. In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, there are many examples of foreshadowing that help to create a sense of suspense and anticipation for the reader. One example of foreshadowing happens early on in the novel, when … Read more
The Catcher in the Rye is a novel by J. D. Salinger that was published in 1951. The title of the novel is derived from the poem “Comin’ Thro the Rye” by Robert Burns. The poem is about a young boy who wanders through a field of rye, dreaming of catching a glimpse of a … Read more
Catch-22 is a novel written by Joseph Heller. The novel is set during World War II, and it follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces bomber pilot. The novel is considered to be a satire, and it has been praised for its dark humor and biting commentary on war and … Read more
