Literature

This article explores how Tess’s animal comparisons function throughout the novel, especially in terms of how these comparisons aid Thomas Hardy’s commentary on societal and religious laws versus the laws of nature.

If you don’t have too much time to commit, here are some of the best books that you can read in a day.

In Sleepy Hollow sojourned a schoolmaster named Ichabod Crane. On the autumn night of a party, the story is told of the Headless Horseman, a ghost who seeks a replacement head from any wayward night-traveling villagers for his own missing one.

Supernatural ghosts and other paranormal entities are scattered throughout Jane Eyre. In a novel that is otherwise realistic, these elements of the supernatural are quite strange. This article explores the reasons behind these supernatural appearances.

The book Lord of the Flies by William Golding is commonly found as part of English class curriculums all over the United States. Even though it is a story about boys stranded on a deserted island, the story has depth and symbolism.

Charlie Higson’s “The Enemy” is a horrific, grueling adventure where everyone over 16 is either dead or diseased, and kids all over London have to come together to fight for their lives.

This article has a short description of many short stories by Anton Chekhov.

A little look into Ken Kesey's masterpiece. Here are my thoughts on "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

A children's classic that submerges us in a world of plants and sunshine.

This article looks at the meaning in the short story "Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer. It starts with a summary, then considers symbols, theme and some relevant questions.

This article looks at the meaning in the short story "Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver. It starts with a summary, then looks at it as an allegory and answers questions on the story elements.

Edith Wharton's life provided her with insider knowledge of the aristocracy of New York. In 1921, she won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel “The Age of Innocence.” This made her the first female to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

"Persuasion" is the last novel written by the wonderful Jane Austen.

Contrasting mightily with her “Garland for Queens, may be,” in which the rose is held in such high regard that it is offered an ordination ceremony, this rose remains uncelebrated and unnoticed except by the speaker and a few other creatures of nature.

Young love—there’s no topic quite as popular, nor as poorly written. But in Rainbow Rowell’s expert hands, it blossoms, and her story of Eleanor and Park, two unlikely lovers, will leave every reader speechless with awe.

This article looks at the meaning in the short story "Secrets" by Bernard MacLaverty. It starts with a summary, then looks at theme, foreshadowing, the title and more.

This article looks at the meaning in the short story "The Student" by Anton Chekhov. It starts with a summary, then looks at theme, the epiphany, the setting and the title.

William Blake's "The Tyger" is a metaphorical poem from his book "Songs of Innocence and Experience," also illustrated with his own inventive etchings. A rhyming poem full of symbolism and vivid imagery, it is a counterpart to his poem "The Lamb."

This article looks at the meaning in "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty. It starts with a summary, then looks at theme and symbolism.

This article looks at the meaning in "Désirée's Baby" by Kate Chopin. It starts with a summary, then examines themes and foreshadowing.

This article looks at the meaning in "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. It starts with a summary, then looks at themes and questions to consider.

This article looks at the meaning in "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. It includes a summary, a look at theme and irony, and some questions to consider.

This article looks at the meaning in "The Cask of Amontillado" by Poe. It includes a synopsis, a consideration of themes, a look at irony and questions to consider.

With “The Girl I Used to Be,” renowned author April Henry weaves yet another masterful mystery. Can you crack the case?

The speaker in Emily Dickinson’s "Garland for Queens, may be," is paying tribute to the beautiful flower, the rose. The treatment of this "Rose" contrasts greatly with the treatment of the "Little Rose" in Dickinson’s "Nobody knows this little Rose."

Yes, that “Bird Box.” Before it was a Netflix movie that everyone had seen, it was a book—a psychological thriller written with wit, horror, and enough suspense to keep you awake for days.

Stephanie Meyer's "Midnight Sun" is a retelling of the first Twilight book from Edward's point of view. Here's what I thought about it.

In Paramahansa Yogananda’s poem, "The Harvest," the speaker metaphorically compares the beauty of the autumn sky to the inner beauty of the spiritual sky. The devotee's harvest thus will be both material and spiritual.

Edgar Allan Poe's 'Bridal Ballad' is a darkly romantic poem that focuses on a bride's inner feelings with regards to her new marriage and her dead former lover, killed in battle. Is she really 'happy now' as each stanza repeats? Or is she still heartbroken? Her dream state seems to be confusing.

Roger Heston fancied himself a philosopher, who often sparred with another philosophically inclined Spoon River resident, Ernest Hyde. Heston’s demise is revealed with a start that leaves his philosophical stance on the issue hanging in abeyance.

"The Truce" may be the best book of one of the best Latin American authors of all time.

"The Layers" is a poem about change and being positive in life despite losses and setbacks. It is full of imagery and metaphor. The speaker in Stanley Kunitz's poem sets a meditative tone, reflecting on the past and being open to change while keeping a 'principle of being'.

Jean Martin's "L'Empire Renaissant: 1789–1871" is the first book in a series on French colonialism. It provides a narrowly territorial and political look at French expansion that serves, in a somewhat fragmented way, to cover the scattered points of the colonial expansion of the new French empire.

"Bright Star" is a sonnet written by Keats expressing his wish to remain as constant and 'stedfast' as the north star whilst also being in the company of Fanny Brawne, the love of his short life. The main themes are ideal love and remaining fixed yet in sweet unrest living forever with a lover.

Jonathan Safran Foer's first book was released to critical praise back in 2002. But has it held up over the years to its initial hype?

Sometimes the only person for you is the person you least expect to be a fit. For Art and Zee, this is exactly the case—and their relationship is therefore a very strange, yet somehow completely perfect, journey in love, life, and everything in between.

Shakespeare's "Sonnet 3" focuses on the young man's beauty and the need for him to procreate, to have a child in his own image. Shakespeare uses a mirror as metaphor for new offspring, thus continuing beauty within the family line. The image is all important because it reflects life.

I’ve only found a few adult fantasy novels worth reading, and this post is an attempt to share them with you. If you're looking for solid adult fantasy novels with great worldbuilding and gripping plots, consider checking out some of the titles on this list.

What if you woke up in a new body—someone else’s body—every day? And what if you fell in love with a girl while you were inhabiting the body of her boyfriend? In “Every Day,” this is just what happens—and yes, it is as exciting as it sounds.

PLAYER. HUNTER. HACKER. PAWN. Marie Lu’s virtual world is filled to the brim with action, secrets, and adventure, making it perfect for geeks and gamers of all ages.

This article is a book review of "Little White Lies" by Brianna Baker and F. Bowman Hastie III discussing reading experience, characters, plot, and more.

"One must master his circumstances, or his circumstances will master him" is the central theme of the novel "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles. The story follows a former count sentenced to live out his days in a hotel as punishment for writing a controversial poem.

This article discusses Mary, Queen of Scots, by examining the works of two modern Tudor historians: Retha M. Warnicke and Stephen Budiansky.

This is my review of Stella M. Rouse's "Latinos in the Legislative Process: Interests and Influence."

Are you looking for books like "Harry Potter"? You've come to the right place. This article will list seven different books or series that lovers of J.K. Rowling's magical worlds might enjoy as well.

This is a discussion and review of the controversial gorefest that is Jack Ketchum's "Off Season." I tried to stay away from spoilers, but I would not be surprised if I have slipped up somewhere . . . so I guess that's your warning.

“The Indie kids, huh? You’ve got them at your school. That group with the cool-geek haircuts and the thrift shop clothes and the names from the fifties.” Patrick Ness is right, isn’t he? If you think so, you’ll love his young adult novel “The Rest of Us Just Live Here.”

Sam Cayhall is a member of the KKK and is found guilty of a heinous crime. His grandson becomes his lawyer and attempts to overturn his death penalty conviction. This compelling book takes you down a mesmerizing path filled with characters and details you will not soon forget.

An immensely popular German writer rose from jailed con man to the most popular fiction writer in his country’s history. This is the story of Karl May.