Class

The titles in the Social Class Collection explore the historical and contemporary implications of social class and class division in cultures around the world. Representing a diverse range of perspectives, cultures, and societies, the selections in this Collection span a broad range of genres and forms, including essays, biographies, and fiction.

The Origins of Totalitarianism

by Hannah Arendt

Publication year 1951

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Power & Greed, Social Class

Tags Politics & Government, Philosophy, World History, Sociology, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Hannah Arendt’s 1951 The Origins of Totalitarianism is an examination of the origins and ideologies of Nazism and Stalinism in the first half of the 20th century through an examination of antisemitism, imperialism, and totalitarianism. Arendt charts the emergence of the Nazi and Bolshevik totalitarian regimes and how those regimes operated as governments. Arendt asserts that imperialism, not nationalism, created the framework for the success of totalitarian movements, and she claims that totalitarian movements capitalized... Read The Origins of Totalitarianism Summary

The Overcoat

by Nikolai Gogol

Publication year 1842

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Social Class, Fate

Tags Classic Fiction, Russian Literature, Satirical Literature, Education, Education, World History

Nikolai Gogol’s short story “The Overcoat” is one of the best-known and most anthologized examples of Russian fiction. Numerous authors have cited “The Overcoat” as influencing Russian surrealism, short fiction, and satire. In 1941, the Russian American author Vladimir Nabokov referred to “The Overcoat” as “the greatest short story ever written” (Nabokov, Vladimir. “The Art of Translation.” The New Republic, 4 Aug. 1941). Likewise, one of the most famous apocryphal sayings in Russian literature (attributed... Read The Overcoat Summary

The Passengers

by John Marrs

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Hate & Anger, Love, Memory, Revenge, Mental Health, Death, Future, Environment, Teamwork, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Economics, Education, Globalization, Immigration, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Fame, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

... Read The Passengers Summary

The Perfect Nanny

by Leïla Slimani

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Social Class, Mothers, Race

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, French Literature, Race & Racism, Mental Illness, Modern Classic Fiction

The Perfect Nanny is a thriller written by Franco-Moroccan journalist and author Leïla Slimani. Published in 2016, the novel is inspired by the 2012 murders of two white American children in New York City by their caretaker, a naturalized American citizen born in the Dominican Republic. Slimani resets the narrative in Paris, France, and the nanny she depicts is a native French woman and white. Slimani reframes the crime to explore themes of racism, classicism... Read The Perfect Nanny Summary

The Power Elite

by C. Wright Mills

Publication year 1956

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Power & Greed, Politics & Government, Social Class

Tags Sociology, Politics & Government, Philosophy, Social Science, Business & Economics, World History, Philosophy

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The Prince and the Pauper

by Mark Twain

Publication year 1881

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth, Appearance & Reality, Social Class, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, American Literature, World History

The Prince and the Pauper: A Tale for Young People of All Ages is Mark Twain’s first historical fiction novel, published in 1881 in Canda and in America the following year. Set in 16th-century England during the reigns of King Henry VIII and Edward VI, the novel revolves around two identical boys: Henry’s heir, Prince Edward, and Tom Canty, a London beggar. After a chance meeting, the two decide to exchange roles, leading to a... Read The Prince and the Pauper Summary

The Princess and the Goblin

by George MacDonald

Publication year 1872

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Good & Evil, Social Class

Tags Fairy Tale & Folklore, Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, Religion & Spirituality

The Princess and the Goblin, first published in 1872, is a Victorian children’s fantasy novel written by George MacDonald. Arthur Hughes and W. B. MacDougall created the accompanying drawings for the original publication, and Jessie Wilcox Smith added new visual art to the story in 1920. In 1992, the novel was adapted into a full-length animated feature film of the same name. This guide utilizes the 2018 Leaves of Gold Press version of the novel... Read The Princess and the Goblin Summary

The Proving Ground

by Michael Connelly

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Guilt, Regret, Disability, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Death, Daughters & Sons, Teamwork, Social Class, Community, Economics, Justice, Power & Greed, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Science, Technology, Science/Technology, Gender & Feminism, Biography, US History

... Read The Proving Ground Summary