Nation & Nationalism

These texts explore the concept of the nation, an idea of community that inspires patriotism and nostalgia. What makes a nation? And why are people willing to die—or to kill—to protect it? These are just a couple of the questions examined in the texts in this collection.

V for Vendetta

by Alan Moore

Publication year 1990

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Power & Greed, Politics & Government, Order & Chaos, Justice, Good & Evil, Nation

Tags Science Fiction

IntroductionV for Vendetta is a graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd. Moore also wrote the acclaimed graphic novel Watchmen and is considered one of the greatest living graphic novel authors, while Lloyd created Marvel’s Night Raven and has done illustrations for many Marvel and DC properties. V for Vendetta was initially serialized in the British anthology Warrior between 1982 and 1984. In the late 80s, it was reprinted in color... Read V for Vendetta Summary

Victory City

by Salman Rushdie

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Future, The Past, Colonialism, Nation, Power & Greed, Justice

Tags Magical Realism, Historical Fiction, World History, Indian Literature, Fantasy

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Vietgone

by Qui Nguyen

Publication year 2015

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Love, Memory, Regret, Language, Race, Future, The Past, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Immigration, Nation, War, Fate, Justice, Music, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama, Comedy & Satire, Education, Education, World History, Dramatic Literature, Humor

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Walden On Wheels

by Ken Ilgunas

Publication year 2013

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Coming of Age, Animals, Environment, Plants, Objects & Materials, Place, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Economics, Education, Nation, Politics & Government, Beauty, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Science & Nature, Business & Economics, Travel Literature, Action & Adventure, Biography

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War

by Bob Woodward

Publication year 2024

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Globalization, Nation, Politics & Government, War

Tags US History, Politics & Government, Military & War

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Warlight

by Michael Ondaatje

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Fear, Grief, Loneliness, Gender Identity, Family, Mothers, Self Discovery, Social Class, Nation, War, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II, Coming of Age, Post-War Era

Warlight (2018) is a historical fiction novel by Sri Lankan-born Canadian writer Michael Ondaatje. Ondaatje is best known for his Booker Prize winning novel, The English Patient (1992). Part spy thriller and coming-of-age story, Warlight follows 14-year-old Nathaniel Williams and his older sister, Rachel, in post-World War II London. When their parents depart for a year-long work assignment in Singapore, the siblings are left in the care of an enigmatic guardian named The Moth. Nathaniel... Read Warlight Summary

West Side Story

by Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim

Publication year 1961

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Teamwork, Nation, Coming of Age

Tags Race & Racism, Love & Sexuality, Drama

When West Side Story opened on Broadway in 1957, it was a new kind of musical. At the time, the phrase “Broadway musical” was synonymous with “musical comedy.” Musical theatre typically took a lighthearted approach, even when broaching serious issues. But West Side Story, perhaps one of the most famous adaptations of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, exposed audiences to gang violence on the streets of New York. If Shakespeare’s lovers are star-crossed and ill-fated... Read West Side Story Summary

We the People

by Jill Lepore

Publication year 2025

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Future, The Past, Place, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice

Tags US History, Politics & Government, Political Science, Crime & Law

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What the Wind Knows

by Amy Harmon

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Colonialism, Language, Safety & Danger, Memory, The Past, Politics & Government, Family, Nation

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Love & Sexuality, Military & War, European History, Politics & Government, World History, Irish Literature

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