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Classical Greek, written by Homer. Provides deep insight into the Ancient Greek world, shaped genre of heroic literature and approaches to storytelling. -
Unknown author. Medieval/Anglo-Saxon. The first epic poem written; most famous Anglo-Saxon work. Similar to Macbeth in its portrayal of heroes.
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Geoffrey Chaucer. Medieval. Functions as a satirical criticism of the different social classes of the time.
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Thomas More.
Renaissance Humanism.
Forwarded utilitarian rationing as a criticism of England's social structure. Similar to Flatland in its reference to modern society. -
British.
Shakespeare. Teaches the theme of passion through love and tragedy. Later adapted as West Side Story. -
Shakespeare. Renaissance. Revealed the premise of inner conflict in major political rulers. First play on the dangers of political turmoil.
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Shakespeare. Renaissance. Revealed the premise of inner conflict in major political rulers. Similar to Beowulf in its portrayal of heroes.
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John Milton. Late English Renaissance/Restoration. Referred to as the greatest English epic.
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American, Puritan. Great Awakening.
Jonathan Edwards. Similar to The Crucible in its coverage of Puritan Society. -
British.
Jane Austen. Showed the dichotomy between Romanticism and Classicism. -
Mary Shelley. Gothic. First truly Gothic novel.
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British.
Edgar Allen Poe. Some of the first Gothic works. Gothic, Romantic. -
Charlotte Brönte. Victorian. Provides an accurate and honest portrayal of life during the early Romantic era.
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British.
Charlotte Brönte. Victorian. Merges Gothicism, Bildungsroman, and Romanticism. Similar to House on Mango Street in its feminist themes. -
British. Victorian.
Charles Dickens. Dickens' most autobiographical work which exposed atrocities in English Victorian Society. -
Edwin Abbott. Victorian. Criticized the hierarchy of victorian England. Similar to Utopia in its reference to modern society.
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Joseph Conrad. Victorian/Modern. Gave insight to the horror happening in the Congo.
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American.
Willa Cather. Modern. Highlights the experience of immigrants. -
American.
F. Scott Fitzgerald. Modern. Paints a picture of the American Dream. -
American.
John Steinbeck. Modern. Highlights the fallenness and predatory nature of humans. -
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George Orwell. Political novel, warns readers of the dangers of a totalitarian government. Similar to Fahrenheit 451 in its predictions of modern society.
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John Steinbeck. Postwar. Demonstrates ongoing conflict between good and evil felt during the postwar period.
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American.
Arthur Miller. Exposes evils of the Salem Witch Trials and references McCarthyism that plagued society in the 1950s. Modern. Similar to Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God in its coverage of Puritan Society. -
Ray Bradbury. Modern American. Emphasizes importance of human expression, individualism, and horror of censorship.
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British.
William Golding. Post War Fiction. Teaches about the savagery of human nature and need for structured government. -
American.
John Knowles. Explores the cultural theme of Coming of Age. Modern American. -
Polish.
Ellie Wiesel. Modern/Postmodern. Memoir. Preserved the Jewish identity by detailing the events that occurred in concentration events. -
British.
Robert Bolt. Historical Drama. Explores themes of reputation and integrity. -
American.
Arthur Laurents. Contains references to Romeo and Juliet. Contemporary. Revisits themes of love and pain set forth by Shakespeare. -
Alex Haley. Inspired the Black Power movement and popularized Malcolm X's ideas. Modern. Similar to Beloved in its discussion of African Americans.
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American. Contemporary Chicana Literature.
Sandra Cisneros. Similar to Jane Eyre in its feminist elements. Important piece of Chicana literature, preserves identity and dignity of chicanas. -
Toni Morrison. Modern. Similar to Malcolm X in its discussion of African Americans. Brings to light the devastation wrought by slavery. Winner of Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
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American.
Jon Krakauer. Contemporary Non-Fiction. References Romantic and Transcendentalist attitudes purported by Thoreau and Emerson. -
American.
Markus Zusak. Showcases themes of the good and evil of humanity. Contemporary Fiction.