Good & Evil

How do we uphold goodness in a world where it can seem impossible? What are the consequences to the human heart when we fail to live up to the ideals of goodness? These are some of the questions posed by the texts in this collection which explores the theme of Good & Evil.

Wicked

by Gregory Maguire

Publication year 1995

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Good & Evil, Justice, Family, Social Class, Fate, Equality, Gender Identity

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Classic Fiction

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995) by Gregory Maguire reimagines the central antagonist of the iconic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which was published in 1900 by author L. Frank Baum and became central to American popular culture through the 1939 film adaptation starring Judy Garland. Allusions to the original story recur throughout film, television, and novels. Decades later, expressions like “we’re not in Kansas anymore” or... Read Wicked Summary

Wings of Starlight

by Allison Saft

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Guilt, Hope, Joy, Love, Coming of Age, Future, The Past, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Nature Versus Nurture, Place, Friendship, Teamwork, Community, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tale & Folklore

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Witness

by Karen Hesse

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Good & Evil, Religion & Spirituality, Justice, Conflict, Community, Coming of Age

Tags Historical Fiction, Race & Racism, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, World History

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Witness

by Whittaker Chambers

Publication year 1952

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, The Past, Politics & Government, War, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses, Safety & Danger, Good & Evil

Tags US History, Cold War, Politics & Government, Philosophy, Christian, World History, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Biography

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World War Z

by Max Brooks

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Apathy, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Guilt, Hope, Death, Future, Environment, Community, Education, Nation, Social Class, Politics & Government, War, Art, Fame, Truth & Lies, Beauty, Good & Evil, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Fantasy, Social Class, Disability, Depression & Suicide, Leadership, Military & War, Trauma & Abuse, Politics & Government

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War is a horror fiction novel by Max Brooks published in 2006. The book was a critical and commercial success, generally receiving positive reviews and spending several weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. It has sold millions of copies around the world and was subsequently turned into a successful movie starring Brad Pitt, released in 2013, and a highly rated video game, released in... Read World War Z Summary

You Like It Darker

by Stephen King

Publication year 2024

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Gratitude, Grief, Hate & Anger, Hope, Love, Memory, Mental Health, Aging, Death, Animals, Daughters & Sons, Family, Fathers, Grandparents, Community, War, Fame, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Order & Chaos, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies, Self Discovery

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Young Goodman Brown

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Publication year 1835

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Environment, Conflict, Good & Evil, Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Symbolic Narrative, American Literature, Education, Education, Horror & Suspense, Gothic Literature, Historical Fiction

“Young Goodman Brown” is a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne published in 1835 in The New-England Magazine. The story was later included in Hawthorne’s 1846 collection Mosses from an Old Manse. Most of Hawthorne’s fiction is set in New England and focuses on themes of morality, inherent sin of human beings, and anti-Puritan sentiment. In addition to “Young Goodman Brown,” some of his most famous short fiction works include “The Minister’s Black Veil” (1836)... Read Young Goodman Brown Summary

Zadig

by Voltaire

Publication year 1747

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Fate, Good & Evil, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Philosophy, Life-Inspired Fiction, Classic Fiction

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Zlateh the Goat

by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Publication year 1966

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Trust & Doubt, Religion & Spirituality, Loyalty & Betrayal, Conflict, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Safety & Danger

Tags Jewish Literature, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Religion & Spirituality, Animals, Special Occasions, Relationships, Science & Nature, Children`s Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

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Zofloya

by Charlotte Dacre

Publication year 1806

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Race, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Gothic Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

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