Order & Chaos

Like night and day or winter and summer, there is a rigid division between the states of order and chaos that seems immutable. Nevertheless, these opposing forces also depend on one another. In this study guide collection, we've put together texts that explore themes related to the diametrically opposed yet inextricably linked forces of order and chaos.

A Different Kind of Power

by Jacinda Ardern

Publication year 2025

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Grief, Guilt, Hope, Love, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Midlife, Future, Place, Family, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Education, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Truth & Lies

Tags Memoir & Autobiography

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A Fable

by William Faulkner

Publication year 1955

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hate & Anger, Grief, Death, Fate, Social Class, Colonialism, Politics & Government, War, Nation, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Order & Chaos, Appearance & Reality, Conflict

Tags Symbolic Narrative, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, World War I, Military & War, American Literature, World History

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A Flicker in the Dark

by Stacy Willingham

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Memory, Love, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Safety & Danger, Order & Chaos, Childhood & Youth, Death, The Past, Midlife

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction

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After Virtue

by Alasdair MacIntyre

Publication year 1981

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Good & Evil, Community, Self Discovery, Order & Chaos

Tags Philosophy, Postmodernism, Religion & Spirituality, Arts & Culture, World History, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Politics & Government

An influential work of moral philosophy, After Virtue (1981) by the Scottish-born philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre takes a bleak view of the state of modern moral dialogue, viewing it as suffering from a lack of rational thought and an inability to resolve disagreements. By looking at older forms of moral discourse, such as Aristotle’s moral framework, and comparing them to the modern version, he generally finds the modern moral framework to be lacking and suggests fixes... Read After Virtue Summary

Ahimsa

by Supriya Kelkar

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Politics & Government, Social Class, Community, Nation, Equality, Justice, Good & Evil, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies, Colonialism, Education, Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Social Justice, Social Class, Education, World History, Asian History, European History, Incarceration, Politics & Government, Children`s Literature, Indian Literature, Arts & Culture

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Alas, Babylon

by Pat Frank

Publication year 1959

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Community, Order & Chaos

Tags Science Fiction, American Literature, Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Military & War, Relationships, US History, Cold War, Fantasy

Alas, Babylon is a 1959 novel by Pat Frank. Written during the Cold War, it is one of the earliest post-apocalyptic novels to deal with the potential consequences of nuclear war. It examines themes of nationalism, natural selection, deterrent force, and resilience and contains elements of dystopian literature.Plot SummaryAs the novel begins, Mark Bragg sends a telegram to his brother, Randy. The telegram includes the words, “Alas, Babylon,” their code for the onset of a... Read Alas, Babylon Summary

All In

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Memory, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Death, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Family, Fathers, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality

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All the Glimmering Stars

by Mark Sullivan

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Guilt, Hope, Joy, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Shame & Pride, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Future, The Past, Food, Place, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, Globalization, Nation, War, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Historical Fiction

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All the Water in the World

by Eiren Caffall

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Future, The Past, Animals, Climate, Environment, Food, Objects & Materials, Place, Family, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Economics, Art, Beauty, Equality, Justice, Literature, Music, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt

Tags Science Fiction

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All the Way to the River

by Elizabeth Gilbert

Publication year 2025

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Conflict, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Love, Regret, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Death, Self Discovery, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Memoir & Autobiography, Love & Sexuality, Relationships, Grief & Death

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All You Zombies

by Robert A. Heinlein

Publication year 1959

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Science & Technology, Order & Chaos, Forgiveness

Tags Science Fiction, Technology

First published in Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine, the classic science fiction/dystopian short story “All You Zombies—” (1959) by Robert A. Heinlein explores an unusual paradox involving transsexual time travel: What if you undergo sexual reassignment surgery, go back in time, have an affair with your younger self, and become your own parent? The story became an award-winning 2014 science fiction film, Predestination. Heinlein is known for his other science fiction works, including Stranger in... Read All You Zombies Summary

A Midsummer Night's Dream

by William Shakespeare

Publication year 1595

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Love, Order & Chaos, Appearance & Reality

Tags British Literature, Comedy & Satire, Fantasy, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Arts & Culture, Love & Sexuality, Relationships, Animals

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a comedic play by William Shakespeare that was likely first written and performed around 1600. The first certifiably recorded performance took place in 1604. Set in the Greek city-state of Athens, the play centers on an impending marriage. Before the wedding, the characters find themselves in a forest where a group of fairies manipulates and tricks them. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and most performed... Read A Midsummer Night's Dream Summary