James Baldwin said, "It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have." In this collection, we've compiled texts that explore the idea of what justice is — and how it can thrive.
Publication year 2009
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Identity: Mental Health, Natural World: Environment, Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Tags Biology, Science, Animals, Science / Nature, Psychology
Publication year 1945
Genre Play, Fiction
Themes Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Play: Drama, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Education, Education, Drama / Tragedy, Classic Fiction
An Inspector Calls is a three-act play written by J. B. Priestley, first performed in 1947. In the play, an inspector questions a wealthy family about the death of a young woman who worked at the family’s factory. An Inspector Calls first premiered in Moscow in 1945 before showing in England. The play has been adapted for film, television, and radio, and a 1992 stage revival won a Laurence Olivier Award, a Drama Desk Award... Read An Inspector Calls Summary
Publication year 2024
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Disability, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Disability
Publication year 2015
Genre Play, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Play: Drama, Race / Racism, Satire, Education, Education, American Literature, Drama / Tragedy
Publication year 1944
Genre Play, Fiction
Themes Society: Politics & Government, Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Play: Tragedy, French Literature, Education, Education, Drama / Tragedy, Fantasy, Classic Fiction
Publication year 1980
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Society: Colonialism, Society: Class, Society: Immigration, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags History: U.S., Politics / Government, Social Justice, Race / Racism, American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction
Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States is one of the most famous American history books published in recent decades. It has sold over two million copies. First published in 1980, the book was nominated for the American Book Award and has gone through at least six major revisions. Although controversial when first published, the book has become comfortably mainstream. It is mentioned by name in the film Good Will Hunting and the... Read A People’s History of the United States Summary
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Sexuality, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Romance, New Adult
Publication year 1992
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: The Past, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags History: World
A Place of Greater Safety (1992) by Hilary Mantel is a historical novel of the French Revolution told largely from the perspective of three lawyers turned revolutionary leaders: Camille Desmoulins, Maximillien Robespierre, and Georges Danton. The novel examines the psychological states and personal ties between these three key historic figures as they contribute to the overthrow of the French monarchy in 1789 and seek to consolidate and hold onto power in the first French Republic... Read A Place of Greater Safety Summary
Publication year 1859
Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Tags Philosophy, Politics / Government, History: U.S.
Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Identity: Language
Tags Philosophy, Ancient Greece, Classical Period, Education, Education, Philosophy, History: World, Classic Fiction, Politics / Government
Apology, also known as The Apology of Socrates, is a philosophical dialogue written by the Greek philosopher Plato chronicling the trial of his mentor Socrates in 399 BCE. After finding Socrates guilty of impiety and corrupting the youth, the Athenian jury sentenced him to death. Socrates carried out his own execution by drinking a mixture of poisonous hemlock. Although Plato likely took modest artistic liberties in the work, many historians believe Apology to be a... Read Apology Summary
Publication year 2003
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Globalization, Society: Economics, Society: Education, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Politics / Government, Race / Racism, Social Justice, History: U.S., Sociology, Gender / Feminism, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy
Publication year 2001
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Relationships: Teams, Natural World: Environment, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mythology, Children's Literature
Artemis Fowl (2001) is the first of 11 fantasy novels in the Fowl Adventures series. It was written by Eoin Colfer, an Irish writer, and details the titular character’s attempt to restore his family’s fortune by kidnapping an elf named Holly Short. Taking place in Colfer’s home country of Ireland, the novel is also his first foray into the fantasy genre. The novel explores themes of community, environmentalism, and the line between magic and science.In... Read Artemis Fowl Summary
Publication year 2019
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Identity: Language, Life/Time: The Future, Relationships: Teams, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Tags Philosophy, Business / Economics
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Identity: Gender, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Flora/plants, Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Romance, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Humor
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Self Discovery
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance
Publication year 2002
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Society: Immigration, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Irish Literature, History: World
Written in 2002 by Mary Jane Auch, Ashes of Roses is a historical fiction novel that follows a young Irish immigrant named Rose Nolan as she comes to New York City with her family. Seeking a better life in America, Rose finds work at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The novel chronicles her experiences as an immigrant and a factory worker and examines the events up to the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. Through... Read Ashes Of Roses Summary
Publication year 2022
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Publication year 2024
Genre Biography, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose
Tags History: World, Biography, Politics / Government, Gender / Feminism
Publication year 1988
Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction
Themes Society: Politics & Government, Society: Colonialism, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Society: Class, Society: Education, Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Creative Nonfiction, Afro-Caribbean Literature, History: World, Politics / Government, Black Lives Matter, Education, Education, Travel Literature, Classic Fiction
A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid is a work of creative nonfiction originally published in 1988. Kincaid shares memories of her home country, Antigua, both while it was under colonial rule and self-governance. She illustrates how life has and hasn’t changed for Antiguan citizens because of government corruption, the legacies of slavery, and the preoccupation with tourism over public welfare. Though the book won no awards, Kincaid has won a plethora of awards for her... Read A Small Place Summary
Publication year 1981
Genre Play, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags WWII / World War II, Race / Racism, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, African American Literature
A Soldier’s Play (1981) was written by Charles Fuller. It premiered off-Broadway with the Negro Ensemble Company in 1981, and was arguably the company’s most successful work to date. It ran for nearly 500 performances and earned the Critics Circle Best Play Award and the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for drama. The play is loosely based on Herman Melville’s Billy Budd (1924), an unfinished novella about a well-liked, handsome sailor who is falsely accused of a... Read A Soldier's Play Summary