Equality

The titles in this Collection examine the concept of social equality through a broad array of literary genres and forms. These curated selections represent a diversity of voices and perspectives that examine social disparities through the lenses of gender, race, socioeconomics, and other factors.

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, the African

by Olaudah Equiano

Publication year 1789

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Equality, Good & Evil, Race, Literature, Colonialism

Tags Race & Racism, History: African

Originally published in 1789, Olaudah Equiano’s The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Written by Himself is a slave narrative in which the author recounts his childhood, capture, life as an enslaved person, and emancipation. With its descriptions of life among the Igbo and the author’s experience of the Middle Passage, the book is a key text for studying the transatlantic slave trade and lives of people of... Read The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, the African Summary

The Iron Heel

by Jack London

Publication year 1908

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Politics & Government, Gender Identity, Social Class, Justice, Power & Greed, Equality, Community

Tags Science Fiction

The Iron Heel is a dystopian novel by American writer Jack London and was first published in 1908. London was a prominent writer and activist of socialist causes and is best known for his adventure novels The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906). The Iron Heel is considered an early example of modern dystopian fiction and was cited by George Orwell as a portentous work on fascism. Framed as a found text... Read The Iron Heel Summary

The Jacket

by Andrew Clements

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Justice, Equality, Siblings, Race

Tags Realistic Fiction, Race & Racism, Diversity, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Arts & Culture

... Read The Jacket Summary

The Leopard

by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa

Publication year 1958

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Nostalgia, Death, The Past, Space, Social Class, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Historical Fiction, Italian Literature, Classic Fiction

The Leopard, a historical novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, originally published in Italian in 1958, chronicles the decline of the Sicilian nobility during the 19th century, the period marking the unification of Italy. The novel follows the life of Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina, as he navigates through political upheaval and the fading glory of his class amidst the rise of a new social order. The Leopard was adapted into a film in... Read The Leopard Summary

The Lost Heir

by Tui T. Sutherland

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Forgiveness, Memory, Regret, Language, Coming of Age, Appearance & Reality, Mothers, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, War, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Animals, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction

... Read The Lost Heir Summary

The Mad Wife

by Meagan Church

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Guilt, Loneliness, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Midlife, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Family, Marriage, Mothers, Community, Equality, Science & Technology

Tags Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Domestic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Horror & Suspense

... Read The Mad Wife Summary

The Man In The High Castle

by Philip K. Dick

Publication year 1962

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Equality, Power & Greed, Fate, Forgiveness, Good & Evil

Tags Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

The Man in the High Castle is an alternate history novel by American science fiction author Philip K. Dick. Released in 1962, the novel imagines a different world in which Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan defeated the United States of American and the Allied forces in World War II. The highly-praised novel was adapted for a television series. This guide uses an eBook version of the 2017 Open Court edition of The Man in the... Read The Man In The High Castle Summary

The Marvelous Land of Oz

by L. Frank Baum

Publication year 1904

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Hope, Love, Femininity, Gender Identity, Language, Masculinity, Mental Health, Childhood & Youth, Death, Future, The Past, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Plants, Nature Versus Nurture, Objects & Materials, Place, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Beauty, Equality, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure

... Read The Marvelous Land of Oz Summary

The Masterpiece

by Fiona Davis

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Art, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Femininity, Gender Identity, The Past, Place, Self Discovery, Community, Beauty, Equality, Fame

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Gender & Feminism

... Read The Masterpiece Summary

The Message

by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Publication year 2024

Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Guilt, Hope, Race, Colonialism, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Equality, Justice, Literature, Truth & Lies

Tags US History, Race & Racism, African American Literature, Biography

... Read The Message Summary

The Moment of Lift

by Melinda French Gates

Publication year 2019

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Justice, Equality, Community, Globalization, Economics, Education, Teamwork, Family

Tags Gender & Feminism, Social Justice, Inspirational, Women`s Studies, Business & Economics, Self-Improvement, Biography

... Read The Moment of Lift Summary

The Organ Thieves

by Chip Jones

Publication year 2020

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Race, Death, Social Class, Community, Education, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies

Tags World History, US History, Science & Nature, Health, Race & Racism, Crime & Law

... Read The Organ Thieves Summary