Literary Works Flashcards
Essay encouraging readers to be self-reliant by following their own sense of right and wrong without letting the government have control.
Civil Disobedience Henry David Thoreau
Novel of Manners
Details the customs, behaviors, habits, and expectations of a certain social group at a specific time and place.
Jane Austin and Edith Warton novels.
The Lost Generation
Writers who came of age during WWI. They’re considered lost because their parent’s values were no longer relevant.
Fireside Poets
Group of New England Poets who were among the first Americans to rival the popularity of British Poets.
William Cullen Bryant Henry Wadsworth Longfellow John Greenleaf Whittier Oliver Wendell Holmes James Russell Lowell
Account of the pilgrims and early colony years by the colony leader.
Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford
Book of Poetry covering religion and family in the colonial period.
The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung up in America by Anne Bradstreet
Autobiography about slavery, travel, spirituality detailing the author’s time as a slave and his attempts at being independent by studying the Bible before gaining freedom and working in business.
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Oladah Equlano
Sermon that uses vivid imagery of hell, observations of the world and scripture citations that gives a glimpse into the first Great Awakening. In the sermon, Hell is described as a real place where people will go if they don’t follow God.
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards
A pamphlet advocating for independence from England that uses moral and political arguments to persuade people.
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Yearly almanac that was popular for extensive wordplay Used 1732-1758
Poor Richard’s Almanack by Benjamin Franklin
Narrative poem that uses musicality, stylized language, and a supernatural atmosphere to tell of a talking raven that visits a distraught lover and traces the man’s insanity.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Details a murder the narrator committed. The narrator’s guilt wins out as he hears the thumping of the dead man’s heart.
The Tale Tell Heart by Edgar Allen Poe
Set during the French and Indian War, it tells of Alice and Cara’s journey to safety along with two Indians–Chingachgook and Uncas, which are used as a symbol of the budding American society and racial makeup of the new world.
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
Impromptu speech at the 1851 Women’s Convention about women having rights.
Ain’t I a Woman by Sojourner Truth
Short story about Tom Walker who finds money protected by the devil. He makes a deal–the money for his soul.
The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving
Hester Prynne has a daughter through an affair and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity after she is forced to wear a red “A” on her clothes and is shunned by her community.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Ishmal seeks revenge on the whale that bit his leg off. the story is influenced by epic poems.
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Extended metaphor poem about the death of Abraham Lincoln.
Oh Captain, My Captain by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
American poet, essayist, and journalist who was part of the transition between Romanticism and Realism.
Essay stating everyone should avoid conformity and false consistency and follow their own instincts and ideas.
Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Speech about the American scholar’s relationship to nature. Included thoughts that nature is the most important influence on the mind, the past manifests in writing, and action and it’s relation to the experience of life. Essentially encouraged people to think for themselves
The American Scholar by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Detail’s the author’s experience of living simply by Walden Pond. A manual for self-reliance.
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
William Dean Howells
Editor of the Atlantic Monthly and realist writer. Wrote Christmas Every Day
Novel about a boy and a runaway slave floating down the Mississippi River. It is noted for colorful description of life along the Mississippi and a satire about racism.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
Mark Twain
American writer known as the Father of American Literature.
Autobiography about a slave’s legal emancipation and life as a speaker.
My Bondage, My Freedom by Fredrick Douglas
Speech focusing on equality, freedom, and national unity. Reminded citizens of America’s purpose
The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln
Personal narrative about the Civil War from the Confederate perspective including impressions about the war, commentary on race, status, and power within a nation divided.
The Diary of Mary Chestnut
Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda are brought as children to be Nebraska pioneers. The first year in the new place leaves an impression on both kids. Noted for bringing the American West to life.
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Set before, during, and after the Civil War it tells the story of three southern families’ experiences through flashbacks.
Absalom! Absalom! By William Faulkner
Set during the Great Depression, this novel follows the Woads, who have lost their home in Oklahoma, as they head to California to find work.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Tells of a woman’s struggle between her unorthodox views on femininity and motherhood and the prevailing social views of the turn of the century south.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Short adventure novel about the Klondike Gold Rush and sled dogs. Focuses on nature vs. nurture.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Langston Hughes
American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was the leader of the Harlem Renaissance and early inventor of Jazz poetry.
Countee Cullen
American poet, novelist, children’s writer, and playwright. Famous for his work during the Harlem Renaissance.
Influential women’s lit story follows Jaine Crawford from one bad situation to the next through abuse, becoming independent, and murdering her third husband in self-defense.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Coming of age story set during the Civil War and reconstruction detailing clawing way out of poverty and a love triangle.
Gone with the Wind by Margret Mitchell
Autobiographical play about a family where the daughter collects glass animals. The figurines are seen as a symbol of her personality.
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
This play examines the mental and moral breakdown of the lead character as she runs away from wealthy to New Orleans
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Story about a young woman who learns about her family as she goes through her father’s belongings after his death and examines her feelings of loss and memories.
The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty
Long poem consisting of 18 separate poems grouped into two sections. The first section is the author’s autobiography and the second section introduces his struggling career and fate.
Hugh Selwyn Mauberley by Erza Pound
Collection of poems noted for use of economy of language and clarity of imagery.
Ripostes by Ezra Pound
Story of a mixed group of people sailing from Mexico to Europe on a German ship. Seen as an allegory tracing the rise of Nazism and looks metaphorically at the progress of the world on it’s “voyage to eternity.
Ship of Fools by Katherine Porter
Blend of multiple short stories about a returning WWII vet’s decision to form an anti-religious ministry in an eccentric southern city after finding his family home abandoned.
Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor
Novel of Manners detailing a love triangle between a man he’s supposed to marry and stay with and her exciting cousin.
The Age of Innocence by Edith Warton
Satirical novel about small town life as a woman comes to terms with the small-town mentality of her neighbors.
Main Street by Sinclair Lewis
Satirical novel about American culture and society that critiques the middle class life and pressure toward conformity.
Babbit by Sinclair Lewis
E.E. Cummings
American poet, painter, essayist, author, and playwright. Wrote 2900 poems, 2 autobiographical novels, four plays, and several essays.
Collection of poems that are mainly short dramas or dialogues.
North of Boston by Robert Frost.
Collection of poems said to be autobiographical that covers rural life, nature, philosophy, and individualism
A Boy’s Will by Robert Frost
Novel that is recognized for bringing female author’s into Sci-Fi and tells the story of a human sent to convince Gethan to join the space U.N. Shows that we’re all the same at the core
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
10 plays that chart the African American experience through the 20th century. Each play is set in a different decade, but relates to the others.
The Pittsburg Cycle by August Wilson
Nikki Giovanni
American poet, writer, commentator, activist. Her writing covers race and social issues.
Collection of poems discussing the revolution of black identity and the political nature surrounding it.
Black Feeling by Nikki Giovanni
Story about the son of the inventor of the atomic bomb and an allegory for the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was written during the Cold War and addresses the nuclear threat.
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
This non-linear novel follows a solider through WWII and his life after as he time trips and see’s his whole life multiple times. It gives a commentary of unavoidable death and is considered an anti-war novel
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
This novel focuses on 4 Chinese-American women who play mahjong for money and tell their daughters the story of their immigration for a better life.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
This novel details a former high school star who is unhappy with his adult life and tries to escape. The main character is a symbol for baby daddies and the novel represents the American Dream vs. Reality idea.
Rabbit Run by John Updike
This memoir tells of a boy who was abandoned by his father, had a sick mother, and dead uncle, but grew up hungry for knowledge with a desire to write before becoming a communist. Details the effects of racism, individual vs society, and the power of art.
Black Boy by Richard Wright
Follows the academic year of a small town professor. Focuses on the airborne toxic event and experimental study of psychological drug, Dylan.
White Noise by Don DeLillo
Satirical novel about WWII and the absurdity of war and how there are no heroes, only victims. Told in non-chronological 3rd person omniscient narration so the timeline evolves with the plot using circular reasoning and paradox.
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Series of Vignettes about a girl growing up in a small house in a poor neighborhood and wants to escape her situation. Considered a coming of age story that celebrates Chicanos.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Follows three characters during a bad drug deal near Mexico-America border and looks at good vs. evil, mortality, ethics, violence, and perseverance
No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
Story follows a father and son across post-apocolypitic event that has killed everyone on earth. Considers isolation, survival, evil, compassion, and forgiveness
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Epistolary novel about black women in the 1930s covering abuse, low social standing, power of voice, nature of racism and sexism.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
A teenage screw-up gets expelled and tries to find himself before deciding he needs to protect kid’s innocence. It is written in a subjective stream of conscious and the main character doesn’t show any growth by the end of the novel.
Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
Written about the author’s partner, in the partner’s voice. Details their time in Paris and created a new format.
The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein
A poetry book about mundane life that uses unconventional language. The book is split into three sections: objects, food, and rooms
Tender Buttons by Gertrude Stein
1st person account of the Italian Campaign of WWI that describes an affair between a solider and a nurse. It is considered the premier American War novel
A Farewell to Arms by Ernst Hemingway
Set in the Spanish Civil War, this story details a plot to blow up a bridge during the war. It includes examples of love and tension between the helpers, love as salvation, the loss of innocence, and the value of human life.
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
Poem that examines modern man who is overeducated, eloquent, neurotic, and emotionally stilled as he chases after a woman. It is notable for it’s variation on dramatic monologue, use of stanzas, sonnets, fragments, and juxtaposition.
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Elliot
Considered the author’s magnum opus, it is a cautionary tale of the American Dream that covers the decadence, idealism resistance to chance, social upheaval, and excess of the roaring 20s.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Said to be a model of the author’s real life, the story tells about a man and a woman. She’s neurotic, he has an affair. It was his final novel.
Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Epic poem that is considered one of the most important works of old English Lit. Hero helps the king defeat a monster, The king is attacked by the monster’s mother. Hero goes on to defeat a dragon and get’s a tower put up in his honor.
Beowulf
Collection of 24 stories about 30 men who engaged in a storytelling contest. Each story features the contest host and one or more of the pilgrims.
The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer
Legend about a man who becomes king, is trained by Merlin, and marries the princess before creating the roundtable to stop disagreements. The princess is a symbol of a moral compass
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Sir Thomas Mallory
Morality play that uses allegorical characters to examine the question of Christian salvation and what man must do to obtain it.
Everyman by Sir Thomas Mallory
Christopher Marlow
English playwright, poet, and translator. Foremost Elizabethan tragedian. He established blank verse and influenced Shakespeare.
Edmund Spenser
Poet who wrote Faerie Queen, which is considered one of the greatest poems (tells the stories of Gloriana’s Knights).
John Donne
Poet considered to be the greatest love poet. He wrote religious verse, treatises, and sermons.
Ben Johnson
Dramatist, lyrical poet, and literary critic
Epic poem in blank verse that concerns the fall from grace, Adam and Eve’s temptation, Satan, and being kicked out of the garden. He wanted to justify the ways of God to men.
Paradise Lost by John Milton
10 year diary kept during the English restoration covering the Great Plague of London, the Second Dutch War, and the Great Fire of London
Samuel Pepe’s Diary by Samuel Pepe
Alexander Pope
Satirical poet, known for translating Homer and considered the master of the heroic couplet.
Samuel Johnson
Created the first dictionary of the English Language
Prose satire novel about human nature and traveler’s tales.
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Francis Bacon
Created the scientific method. Also known as Lord Verulam.
John Locke
Father of liberalism. Wrote essays concerning human understanding–outlines what we can claim to know and what we can’t.
He called for the separation of church and state.
Jean Jacques Rosseau
Wrote Discourse on Inequality and The Social Contract, which are cornerstones of political and social thought.
Andrew Marvell
Poet, satirist, and political writer.
George Herbert
One of the foremost British devotional lyricists. The Temple.
William Wordsworth
Helped launch the Romantic Age by publishing lyrical ballads. Britain’s Poet Laureate.
John Keats
One of the main Romantic poets known for sensual imagery, odes, and natural imagery.
Lord Byron
Leading figure of the romantic movement.
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Finest lyrical and philosophical poets. Married to Mary Shelly (Frankenstein).
Poem that tells the story of a sailor who has returned from a long sea voyage. Uses personification and repetition through the story.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
A young scientist creates a monster through an experiment and the monster escapes. Considered first major work of science fiction.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Alfred Tennyson
Poet laureate during Victoria’s reign. Created many common place phrases.
Robert Browning
Wrote poems known for irony, characterization, dark humor, social commentary, historical settings, challenging vocabulary, and syntax.
Elizabeth Browning
Campaigned to end slavery and influenced child labor reforms. Believed to have influenced Poe and Dickenson
Rudyard Kipling
Innovator of the short story Wrote the Jungle Book
Charles Dickens
Greatest novelist of the Victorian Era.
A woman is bored with her life so she has an affair and then they both drown. Noted for salacious treatment of affairs.
Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
Story about a man who desserts his crew on a sinking ship. The man is publicly censored for his actions and has to come to terms with his actions. It is considered an in-between era book.
Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
Narrated voyage on the Congo River taken by a man who is obsessed with an ivory trader. It makes parallels between London and Africa
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Follows two sisters who have very different relationships with their husbands. Looks at human nature.
Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence.
Essay about someone who was asked to shoot an elephant, does it, and hates themself for it. Considered a metaphor for British Imperialism
Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell
Play about a man who fell in love with a statue that then comes to life. Question femininity and gender
Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw
The Ramsey family visits the Isle of Skye. The plot of this novel is secondary to the philosophical introspection in provides by using multiple focalization.
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Wolf.
Katherine Mansfield
Changed how short stories were written.
Doris Lessing
Wrote several short stories.
William Yeats
Founded the Abbey Theatre and was the driving force of the Irish Literary Revival
Dylan Thomas
Poet noted for his original, rhythmic, and ingenious use of words and imagery.
