Classic Literature

Othello

the Moor of Venice
cover from first quarto, c 1619
Author(s): 
William Shakespeare
Subject(s): 
Classic Literature
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Adults
Review: 
Othello, which we studied in tenth grade, is a dark play, a tragedy brought about by Othello's surrender to Iago's campaign of deceit. Although this is the main idea of the play, quite a few characters and twists and turns maintain the suspense. The title character Othello is a general and Iago's commander. Iago is angered at Othello's promotion of a less-experienced soldier (Cassio) over him; moreover he is in the pay of Roderigo, a rich man who wishes to marry the beautiful Desdemona. However, Othello has already won over Desdemona and married her. In his hatred, Iago plots to ruin Othello's life by convincing him that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, thereby exacting revenge on Cassio as well. In this, he succeeds, with tragic results. I found it easy, even at that age, to relate to the characters in this play. They are drawn with depth and are believable. In particular, Othello's inner struggle is very realistic -- we in the audience want to shout at him that Iago is lying, that he should trust Desdemona. Major themes in this play are love, trust, jealousy, and free will. Pride and insecurity also play important parts in the drama. The consequences of wrong choices are all too clear, as are the consequences of putting one's trust in the wrong person. Questions to consider might include: Why does Othello believe Iago? What could he have done differently? Othello doesn't go in one quick step from newlywed in love with his bride to murderous jealousy. What are the "little steps" by which he allows himself to be led on this road?
Additional notes: 

Written c. 1601-1604

Many editions available. "Interleaved" editions (original text with notes on facing page) are helpful.

Reviewed by: 
Suchi Myjak
First reviewed: 
1-24-2009

The Annotated Innocence of Father Brown

Book cover: 'The Annotated Innocence of Father Brown'
Author(s): 
G.K. Chesterton
Martin Gardner (notes)
Number of pages: 
320 pages
Copyright: 
1998
Publisher: 
Dover Publications
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Classic Literature
Detective Stories
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Review: 
As an avid Chestertonian, I am frequently asked which G.K. Chesterton title I recommend for young people to read. The best and by far the most understandable "first" book of Chesterton's would be The Annotated Innocence of Father Brown.

In this book of the first twelve Father Brown mystery stories, editor Martin Gardner has looked up all the obscure references, which Chesterton frequently threw into his stories - mentions of people popular at the time whom we're no longer familiar with, use of obscure of obsolete English words from 100 years ago, slang expressions from 100 years ago - these are explained to the reader's satisfaction in the numerous footnotes by the helpful Mr. Gardner.

By reading the annotated version of the story, the Father Brown mysteries come alive for young people. And I must note that since several mysteries in the series refer to murders, even a decapitation, I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up.

The Father Brown mysteries are some of Chesterton's most enduring work. In general, people may not remember that Chesterton wrote such classics as Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man. However, they may recall him as the author of the Father Brown Mysteries, and so it is appropriate to start reading these mysteries first. These mysteries first appeared serialized in various magazines of the times in England. This in part explains the obscure references to people of that day. The other part of the explanation is that Chesterton considered himself a journalist, mainly writing words for newspapers, which would be thrown away shortly after reading. Never did Chesterton imagine that his work would be known and loved 100 years later.

If you are interested in introducing your teenager to the works of G.K. Chesterton; or if youare looking for some good fiction for your teen; or if you wanted to start reading Chesterton yourself and didn't know where to begin, I recommend this book.

Additional notes: 

originally appeared in Heart and Mind Magazine, Spring 2005 - used with permission

Reviewed by: 
Nancy Carpentier Brown
First reviewed: 
1998-99

To Kill a Mockingbird

Book cover: 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
Author(s): 
Harper Lee
Subject(s): 
Literature
Classic Literature
Grade / Age level: 
Adults
Mature Teens
Review: 
This modern classic, set in the segregated South of the 1930s, is the story of two young children who learn about life and the great character of their father, Atticus Finch, as he struggles with a difficult case in which he must defend a black man wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. The story is told through the eyes of the younger child, a nine year old girl. This charming perspective, related in an authentic Southern dialect, makes for a surprisingly innocent way of tackling some rather tough topics. Catholic parents of today, who are forced to explain difficult topics such as abortion to their young children, will likely sympathize with this father and be impressed with how well he handles the situation. Atticus, an aging lawyer and widowed father of two, is a man who spends his free time reading. His children find him somewhat boring and wish he could be more like their classmates' fathers who are young and athletic. As the story develops, the children begin to learn why their father is respected by those neighbors and friends whose opinions really count. The story culminates in a court battle in which Atticus is assigned to defend an innocent black man in a hopelessly biased rape case. He is reluctant to take the case because he knows he has no chance of winning and is concerned about the emotional persecution his children will suffer in a community where racial tensions run high. Nevertheless, he knows he must do the right thing and proceeds with the case. The case itself and the man involved turn out tragically and the family goes through many difficult and even frightening things, but the book proves to be a great classic because of the great character development, the moral considerations the story addresses and the growth of the children as they suffer through the case with their father. It should provide a wealth of literary, historical and moral themes for teens or adults. I'd like to address two issues that may concern parents regarding the content of this book. First, some parents have asked me whether, in a day where sexual sin runs rampant, such books as this should simply be avoided. I would answer that I certainly think books which glorify fornication or cause the imagination to dwell on sensuality during the sensitive teen years should be avoided. In contrast however, this book, particularly with appropriate guidance, should help teens to develop the moral context without which human sexuality so often lowers itself to mere pleasure and animal instinct. I believe this book does so without danger to the imagination. The rape was fabricated, the discussions concerning it are not at all graphic, and an implication that the young woman was actually a victim of incest is so subtle that it may very well be missed. The Christian answer to teaching children to avoid sin is not to ignore sensitive topics entirely, but to prayerfully and prudently teach children right from wrong and the consequences of sin in a manner suitable to their maturity. Second, some may be concerned that the book makes some criticisms of Christians. It should be understood that the book does not villify Christians (most of the characters on both sides of the issue seem to consider themselves Christians), but highlights the hypocrisy of those who commit evil while calling themselves Christian. Clearly, the position taken by Atticus is solidly Christian. Also, understanding the hypocrisy presented in the book should be very helpful in developing a solid Christian conscience in preparation for a difficult and complex world. While the book could be studied as early as eighth grade, it would probably be understood more deeply a few years later, in mid-to-upper high school. Click here to view our study questions for this book.
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
12-1-01

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Book cover: Uncle Tom's Cabin
Author(s): 
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Number of pages: 
496 pages
Copyright: 
1952
ISBN: 
9780553212181
Publisher: 
Penguin/Signet Classics
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Classic Literature
Setting: 
Civil War
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Adults
Review: 

There are a plethora of resources for you to find out the plot of this book out on the web and in the bookstores (eg. Cliffs Notes!!). Many contain "spoilers". And this is OK — after all it's a classic. Moreover, the book is good even if you know what is going to happen. I had the enjoyable luxury of reading this book without having run across the spoilers and with no real knowledge of the plot. I was not required to read it in school — oh happy fault.

The story is about slavery in America. It follows the lives of two slaves in detail, Eliza and Uncle Tom, and introduces us to a great many more slaves and masters and their stories. The two belong to the same master in Kentucky. When the master falls on hard times (from his own inability to manage his estate) he ends up making a deal to sell these two — despite the fact that both of them are rather dear to him and his family. Getting wind of this Eliza decides to run for safety with her son while Uncle Tom allows himself to be taken away from his wife and young children. Eliza risks her life to save her child — running across the ice floes of a partially frozen Ohio river to escape — then finds her way along an underground network. (I won't tell you how her story comes out.) Uncle Tom is sold and resold. He is steadfast in his faith throughout — though not unchanging. Moreover, he affects those who he meets along the way.

This book is written in a very foreign style — at least to the modern reader. Chronologically Mrs. Stowe's style fits somewhere between that of the crafters of the Constitution and that of Mark Twain. But it is not so easy to put it into any other category. Her own narration is a bit archaic, overtly Christian, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes patronizing, and yet very broad minded. She calls you "gentle reader." She says "now don't you think that is fair?" when she expects you to come to the opposite conclusion. And yet she sees clearly through all the haze of the issue — i.e. the "shades of grey" everyone loves to talk about when they can't bear to say right vs. wrong. And she does more: she presents us with characters who take various positions on the slavery issue. Not just "it's right" and "it's wrong" but a wide variety of views. She allows them ample voice and reason to discourse their whole argument; she does not make them straw men; she does not mitigate or twist their ideas; she lays out the best cases for and against — and from several different angles. In the midst of this she demonstrates the effects on the PEOPLE who are subjected to the system — those who are the masters as well as those who are the slaves. It is incredibly revealing to have the whole gamut — the entire conversation — all in one accessible story. And it is incredibly convincing!!! Which is why, as legend has it, Abe Lincoln, when introduced to her for the first time declared, "So you're the little lady responsible for this big war."

This book ought to be read for a lot of different reasons.

1) Arguments aren't just fights. When properly done they are tools to get at the truth. This book shows how to argue in the best sense. Reasonable people may have views that are wrong — and can be changed by convincing. (Admittedly, most of those in this book are not, ultimately, convinced — but some are — it's good to see).

2) Style! You have to get a taste of this style of hers. It is a peculiar dish that we rarely see set before us these days (how much early 19th century do you typically read?!).

3) Faith. Uncle Tom has faith in God. It grows stronger and better through his trials. And, it has effects on those he meets and deals with to different degrees and in different ways. (That's realistic.)

4) It shows us that a story can be an extremely convincing form of persuasion.

5) There is a lot revealed about the fundamental nature of man and his free will by exploring the effects of stifling that free will via enslavement. Her characters vary wildly in their reaction to the invisible wall between master and slave. The slaves will react, contort and re-form (or de-form) themselves to this unnatural order. The slave owners must likewise be ignorant or somehow justify their actions. To the author's credit we see that the justification is sometimes wicked or perverted and sometimes just well-meaning but ultimately flawed reasoning.

6) One thing that kind of percolates up from 5) is that there is a difference between the will and the intellect. Philosophers have argued about this for millennia. Many people believe that if someone knows what the good thing is they will naturally want to do it. But knowing and doing ARE different. And some may know what is good but not do it. Some may even want to do what is not good and through an underhanded twist of the will convince themselves (and really THINK they know) that the bad is good. The sooner a person can grasp the difference between the intellect and the will the more they will be able to direct their own thoughts and actions maturely, profitably and honorably.

7) Believe it or Not! This book has some incredible (as in not believable) events. However, Mrs. Stowe, it turns out had done a lot or research. Most of the events were gathered from real events. Even the more incredible ones such as Eliza crossing the river. — Don't try that at home!!!

Age level: At least High School Freshman +/- a year. Kleenex required.

Additional notes: 

Many editions available.

Reviewed by: 
John Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
7-29-04

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