Art

From Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita to Raven Leilani's Luster, the texts in this collection investigate themes related to the power and promise of many types of art — from the written word to visual arts such as painting and cinema.

Madness and Civilization

by Michel Foucault

Publication year 1961

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Fear, Disability, Mental Health, Social Class, Art

Tags World History, Psychology, Philosophy, Mental Illness

Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason is the second monograph by French intellectual historian and philosopher Michel Foucault (1926-1984). Originally published in French in 1961, it follows the development of Western European conceptions of “madness” beginning in the Late Middle Ages and ending in the early 19th century. Foucault argues that following the decline of leprosy in the 15th century, Western European societies demanded that the figure of the... Read Madness and Civilization Summary

Main Street

by Sinclair Lewis

Publication year 1920

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loneliness, Gender Identity, Place, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Economics, Art, Beauty, Equality

Tags Satirical Literature, American Literature, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

Main Street is a 1920 satirical novel written by Sinclair Lewis. Set in the tiny town of Gopher Prairie, Minnesota, the story revolves around the trials and tribulations of Carol Milford Kennicott as she struggles to adjust to small-town living. In 1930, Main Street helped Lewis become the first American to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. This guide is based on the 1995 Penguin Classics edition of Main Street.Content Warning: This guide and... Read Main Street Summary

Masterpiece

by Elise Broach

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Safety & Danger, Art, Conflict

Tags Fantasy, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Animals, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, Arts & Culture

... Read Masterpiece Summary

Matched

by Ally Condie

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fate, Art, Literature, Future, Perseverance, Self Discovery

Tags Science Fiction, Romance, Arts & Culture, Futurism, Fantasy

Matched is a science fiction novel for young adults by best-selling author Ally Condie. Published in 2010, it is the first novel in the Matched trilogy. It was followed by Crossed in 2011 and Reached in 2012. Matched was a critical and commercial success—as were the other two books in the trilogy. It was a New York Times bestseller and named one of the best children’s books of the year by Publisher’s Weekly. The Young... Read Matched Summary

Memoirs of Hadrian

by Marguerite Yourcenar

Publication year 1951

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Loneliness, Memory, Nostalgia, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Aging, Death, The Past, Colonialism, Nation, Politics & Government, Art, Beauty, Fate, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality

Tags French Literature, World History, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

The Memoirs of Hadrian is a fictional autobiography first published in French by Marguerite Yourcenar in 1951. Composed as the reflections of the real Roman Emperor Hadrian, who ruled in 117-138 CE, the book was well-received by critics and readers and is considered Yourcenar’s best work as well as one of the best 20th century French novels. The English version of the Memoirs was translated by Grace Frick, in collaboration with the author, and published... Read Memoirs of Hadrian Summary

Memphis

by Tara M. Stringfellow

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Hate & Anger, Race, Art, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, Race & Racism, African American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

... Read Memphis Summary

Mimesis

by Erich Auerbach

Publication year 1946

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Literature, Place, Art, Language

Tags Philosophy, European History, Western, German Literature, Literary Criticism, World History, Philosophy

... Read Mimesis Summary

Miracles

by C. S. Lewis

Publication year 1947

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Appearance & Reality, Space, Art, Beauty, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Religion & Spirituality, Christian, Philosophy

... Read Miracles Summary

Monster

by Walter Dean Myers

Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Justice, Community, Art, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Race & Racism, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Monster, a YA novel about a Black New York teenager accused of murder, quickly became one of Walter Dean Myers's most acclaimed works when it was published in 1999, winning the Coretta Scott King Award, receiving the Prime Excellence Award of the American Library Association, named a National Book Award Finalist. The completion and release of the novel occurred during the arc of the conviction and eventual exoneration of the Central Park 5, Black teenagers... Read Monster Summary