Author Novel/Novella Nationality/ Period Historical Characters Themes Point of view Tenses/literary devices Others

Country background of work

Margaret “The handmaid’s tale” Canada/Canadian Postmodernism - The feminist Offred - Feminism; First-person - Present and past - Theocratic/totalitarian regime;
Atwood – -dystopian novel-SF- movement; Luke - Oppressio - Non-linear - Sense of fear and paranoia;
author, poet, feminist political novel - Geopolitical, n of narration; - Illustrates how religious dogma
essayist, and social and females; - Flashbacks and can be used to suppress freedoms
literary 1985 cultural - Environme repetitions; and maintain order and obedience;
critic; tension ntal issues; - Biblical - The novel reflects concerns
because of - Gender allusion; regarding reproductive rights,
the fears and power - Literary gender roles, and women’s
the anxieties imbalance; allusion – 1984 autonomy;
of the time; - Intersectio & the scarlet - Women weren’t allowed to vote,
Iranian n of letter; read or write;
revolution religious - Objectification of women;
and heights extremism - M.A. explores the reversal of the
of the cold and woman’s rights; a group of
war; totalitarian conservative extremists has taken
- Published ism; power; -> access to contraception,
after the legalization of abortion and the
election of increasing political influence of
Ronald female voters have all been
Reagan in undone;
US and - Feminists argued for liberation
Margaret from traditional gender roles, and
Thatcher in on the subjugation of women by
UK; men;
- The - Relevance in teaching:
Christian meaningful themes for debate as
right draws depravation of women rights;
upon the characteristics of a dystopian
American novel; literary devices;
history – the environmental crisis; world
17th century undone by totalitarian and
Puritan authoritarian regime; conservation
theocracy - of human rights;
To depict the
authoritative
world run by
the
extremely
religious
extremists.
Margaret “The edible woman” Canada/Canadian Postmodernism - Written Marian McAlpin - loss of identity; First person – - Past tense; - Stereotypes;
Atwood – -fiction novel, social during the Peter - alienation; providing readers - Social expectations/peer pressure
Canadian satire- Second - the complex of with an intimate and toward females;
author, Wave female identity; subjective - consumerist society;
essayist, 1969 Feminism understanding of her - imbalance between gender roles;
literary Movement- thoughts, emotions - body image;
critic. 1960-1980; and experiences. - women were challenging
Writes about focused on Creates a connection traditional gender roles;
feminism, women’s between the - provides insights into the time and
environment role in protagonist and the place of the novel providing the
, society, reader enabling right opportunity for the students
complexities relationship, empathy with to observe the challenges faced by
of human and Marian’s struggles, women during that period;
relationships reproductive fears, and desires. - the novel’s depiction of the
; rights. consumer culture resonates with
Numerous - 1960s the modern consumer-driven
prizes; marked a society;
significant - the prominent use of food
change in the symbolism allows discussions on
society; it body image issues;
was a period
of the Rise
of consumer
culture and
expansion of
capitalism;
George “1984” England/from Modernism - he traveled Winston Smith - The Third person limited Past tense; - Rising awareness toward
Orwell -dystopian novel- India(British) to Spain to O’Brien dangers of Metaphors, allusions, totalitarian regimes;
- Clari -set in a totalitarian report on the Julia totalitarian irony, foreshadowing, - His writings usually delves into
ty, society ruled by the Spanish Big Brother ism; personification and political and social issues, poverty,
simpl oppressive Party led by Civil War, - Psychologi similes; class struggle;
icity Big Brother; where he cal - -exploring the literary techniques;
and witnessed manipulati - Debate on totalitarian and abuse of
direc 1949 firsthand the on; power;
tness nightmarish - Control of - Constantly criticizing abuse of
; atrocities informatio power;
committed n and - Develops critical thinking,
by fascist history; empathy;
political - Awareness for students to become
regimes. The vigilant against the threats to
rise to power democracy;
of dictators
such as
Adolf Hitler
in Germany
and Joseph
Stalin in the
Soviet Union
inspired
Orwell’s
mounting
hatred of
totalitarianis
m and
political
authority.
George “Animal Farm” England/from Modernism - allegorizes The boar - corruption; Third person Past tense “All animals are equal, but some animals
Orwell - classic India(British) the Russian Napoleon betrayal, omniscient are more equal than others.”
- Clari allegorical Revolution Mr. Jones Manor imbalance of The narrator is an all - Animals vision of the revolution:
ty, novella – of 1917 Farm power; knowing observer to achieve an idealistic state of
simpl 1945 - abuse of power; justice and progress;
icity -power dynamics; - Orwell witnessed the Spanish
and - power Civil War, the impact of the brutal
direc corrupting tactics of the Stalinists shaped his
tness individuals; disillusionment with
; - dangers of totalitarianism and influenced the
unchecked themes and narrative;
 authorities; - The transformation of the animals
rebellion against their human
oppressors into a totalitarian
regime;
James Joyce “Ulysses” Ireland/Irish Modernism In the early 20th Leopold Bloom - Alienation Third person - Renowned for 16th of June 1904 – Bloomsday
– modernist -modernist - Middle-class century, Ireland was Molly Bloom ; omniscient his use of the -
experimentat experimental novel- Catholic family under British rule, Stephan Dedalus - Irish Multiple points of stream of - Development of the characters and
ion through and there was a identity; view consciousness their inner thoughts;
his complex 1922 strong movement Blending of tenses; narrative - Dublin comes alive through
narrative for Irish nationalism non-linear narration; technique, Joyce’s meticulous attention to
structures, and independence. Two types of where he detail, and the city itself becomes
multiple Joyce, an Irish discourse: I. The presents the a character in the story;
point of writer, lived during interior monologue unfiltered - The title references Homer’s epic
view, non- a time of political of Leopold Bloom, continuous flow poem “The Odyssey”, and the
linear and cultural II. An omniscient of thoughts and novel mirrors the journey of the
storytelling; upheaval, and these point of view feelings from ancient Greek hero Odysseus;
themes are reflected the minds of his - Complexities of identity, sexuality,
in his works. While characters; religion, nationalism, and the
"Ulysses" is not - Parallax; search for meaning;;
overtly political, it - Symbols,
portrays everyday allusion, literary
life in Dublin allusions,
against the backdrop
of the struggle for
Irish identity.

John Updike “The centaur” America/ Postmodernism Post-world wars George Caldwell - Father – First person – - Keen - Blurred boundaries between real
– American -bildungsroman- American period is considered son personal and observation; and imaginative, presenting a
giant, known a period of major relationshi introspective on rich prose; dreamlike atmosphere that
for his 1962 changes in the p; George’s coming-of- attention to permeates the narrative.
essays, American society; - Coming- age journey; details; Frequently, George retreats into
novels, short The civil rights of-age - Flashbacks; his fantasies to cope with the
stories, movement, the journey; - Imagery; challenges of the real world; he
poetry; feminist movement, - Quest of - Symbolism; sees himself as the mythical
-themes of the anti-war self- - Past tense that creature, Chiron, the centaur.
middle-class movement, and the identity; reinforces de - Olinger, Pennsylvania;
life, counterculture - Self- reflective nature - Life in small town in America;
relationships movement all sacrifice; of the narration; - A coming-of-age story that
, human played a role in captures the American life in the
condition; challenging mid-20th century;
established norms - Delves into the challenges and
and values. aspirations of ordinary people
during that era in small-town
America;
- The interaction between father-son
reveals the generational gap and
communication barriers;
- George’s role as teacher and his
passion for creative writing
explores the transformative power
of education and the significance
of artistic expression in shaping
individual’s live.
- Family dynamics, mythological
symbols, interplay between real
 and imagination;
John Updike “Rabbit, run” America/ postmodernism The impact of world Harry “Rabbit” -identity; coming- Third person limited - Character - Rabbit runs away from his
-fiction novel; American war II on American Angstrom of-age; Follows the development responsibilities and finds himself
bildungsroman- society Janice Alienation; perspective of the have been even in deeper conflicts; He
-roles of genders; main character, but praised for their embarks in a journey to find
1960 -pursuit of does not delve into depth and meaning and purpose, but his
American dream his inner thoughts as authenticity; actions often lead to more
which promises a first person - Vivid and complexities and dilemmas;
success, narrative would detailed - Three sequels – Rabbit Redux,
happiness, and descriptions; Rabbit at Rest, Rabbit is Rich.
prosperity, but - Realistic - Brewer, Pennsylvania;
often comes with portrayals of - Insightful portrayal of post-war
sacrifice and characters and America and the complexities of
disillusionment; the modern life;
environment; - The novel explores the traditional
- Past tense- gender roles and societal
common choice expectations prevalent in the
for storytelling; 1950s; discussions about how
- Provides a these roles evolved over time;
sense of ethical moral choices;
introspection;
Saul Bellow “Humboldt’s gift” Canada/Canadian postmodernism - set in the years Humboldt Fleisher - Friendship First person Metafiction – - The Beat generation and the
– -bildungsroman, following World Charlie Citrine vs. rivalry Charlie’s point of Novel is written in the countercultural movement; - a
introspective metafiction, comedy of War II; - Art & view form of a memoir, period of rebellion against
exploration manners- creation Past tense – reflecting on his past traditional norms and a search for
with wit and retrospection; experiences and individuality, freedom, and new
humor; his 1975 Present tense – relationships; artistic expressions;
writing often current Allusion - The novel touches on racial
explored contemplation; Stream of tensions and social issues of the
themes of consciousness time, including the struggles of
existentialis Symbolism African American for civil rights;
m, identity, - The novel explores the contrast
alienation, between success and failure in the
and the literary world and the challenges
complexities faced by artists;
of human - The manuscript symbolizes the
relationships enduring friendship and serves as
; a reminder of Humboldt’s
brilliance as a writer;
- Dynamics of rivalry between
artists;
Saul Bellow “Seize the day” Canada/Canadian postmodernism Post World War II – Tommy Wilhelm - Existential Third person limited Foreshadowing - The profound impact of the war
American period of ist themes; – allows readers to Irony over the American society and its
1956 reconstruction exploratio empathize with Symbolism individuals, affecting their
n of Tommy; perspectives, ambitions, and
individual’ Past tense- struggles to rebuild the economy;
s search storytelling; - Tommy Wilhelm a failed and
for Present tense- struggling salesman, separated
meaning, introspective from his wife and children;
purpose moments; -
and immediacy and
identity; intensity to certain
- Identity; scenes
- Complexit
y of
 human
emotions;
David “Nice work” England/British Postmodernism - The novel Robyn Penrose - Clash of Third person limited - Shadow Robyn – English literature professor
Lodge – -parody of industrial captures the Vic Wilcox culture; Alternating between scheme; Vic – hardworking factory manager
known for novel, campus novel- British - Gender the perspectives of - Literary - David Lodge is a writer and a
his landscape of roles; two main characters allusion; literary critic;
contribution 1988 1980s, - Feminism; Past tense – a sens of - Symbolism; - The story unfold when the
to both underlining - Socio- being recounted - Irony; characters are brought together for
literature the impact of economic after the events have - Humor; the initiative called “the shadow
and Thatcherism changes; talken place; scheme”, where they swap jobs for
academia; on industries Dialogues and inner a short period;
literary and monologues in the - The role reversal explores the
criticism; individuals; present tense to clash of their different worlds and
create immediacy backgrounds;
and make certain - Lodge uses humor and satire to
scenes move more shed light on the challenges faced
vivid and engaging. by both academia and business
world;
- Address issues of gender roles;
women struggle to break through
the male-dominant society;
- Through the literary allusions
creates connections and enriching
the reading experience for those
familiar with the referenced text;
- Misconception and stereotypes;
- Detailed portrayals of academic
culture, including the politics
rivalries, and hierarchies within
the university setting;
- Prejudices between social strata;

D.H.Lawren “Women in love” England/British- modernism A period when the Ursula Brangwen - Love, Third person Stream of Known for Women in love, The rainbow,
ce - Jewish world recovers from Gudrun Brangwen power and omniscient consciousness; Sons and lovers, Lady Chatterley’s lover;
novelist, 1920 the devastating Rupert Birkin human Ambiguity and - He was part of the modernist
short story effects of the World Gerald Crich psyche; symbolism; literary movement, seeking to
writer, poet, War I; - Relationsh break away from conventional
essayist; ip; narrative styles and delve into the
His works - Societal complexities of human psyche;
reflect on changes; - The war had a profound impact on
modernism, society, leading to disillusionment,
alienation, a loss of faith in traditional
and narrative styles and delve into the
industrializat complexities of human psyche;
ion. - Explores how societal changes and
industrialization effected human
relationships and the human
connection to nature;
- Complexity of love that has the
power to nurture and to destroy;
- Complexity of gender roles and
expectations during the early 20th
century;
- The shift from the rural to urban
settings, the dehumanizing aspects
 of mechanization, and the impact
of industrialization on the natural
world, students can draw parallels
to modern concerns about
environmental degradation and the
consequences of rapid
technological advancement;
D.H.Lawren “The rainbow” England/ British- modernism Post-industrial Tom & Lydia - Love; Third person - symbolism; Part of a trilogy “Women in love”, “The
ce - A family saga – period; Ursula Brangwen - Conflict of omniscient Imagery; plumed serpent”
1915 The struggle of the generation Past tense-actions Tom – a farmer and a conservationist of
rural life facing the s; recounted in a the old way of life;
changes of the - Individual retrospective manner Lydia – a teacher and a modern
industrialization; quest for perspective;
The novel is set in autonomy Ursula’s inner conflicts; main character;
the English and - the Industrial Revolution had
Midlands during the personal transformed the landscape, leading to the
late 19th and early freedom; decline of rural agricultural communities
20th centuries, a time and the rise of urban industrial centers;
of significant social - erosion of close ties to the land and the
and economic breakdown of traditional family
changes; structures;
- the novel - follows the lives of three generations o
foreshadows the the Brangwen family;
outbreak of the Tom – the patriarch of the family and a
World War I farmer – represents the traditional values
and rural lifestyle of the time; connected
to the land and seeks stability and
continuity in his relationships;
Lydia-Tom’s wife and a teacher,
represents a more modern and educated
woman; struggles with the clash between
her own desires and the societal
expectations;
Ursula – the daughter – a strong
independent, and introspective woman
who seeks meaningful and passionate life;
- the novel delves deep into the
complexities of human relationships, the
clash between tradition and modernity,
and the search for individuality and
personal freedom;
Laurence “Tristram Shandy” Ireland/Irish Enlightenment/ - Exposure to Tristram - The First person with the - Past – talks about past -clergyman
Sterne – - Satirical Neoclassicism – different question protagonist as the events; retrospective -parish life insights
writer and comedy, hints of cultures and of identity; narrator; manner; -ironical view of the pretentions of the
clergyman metafiction, modernism societies; Multi-layered - Present to address the ecclesiastics figures;
bildungsroman - Travels narration; blurs the reader; discusses his - his clerical career provided with ample
– enriched his lines between the inner thoughts and material for satire and humor;
1760 vision; author, narrator, feelings; -satirizes certain aspects of church using
characters, and the - Future for wit and irony to reveal absurdities and
reader. foreshadowing; pretentions of certain ecclesiastical
- sometimes he uses characters;
conditional tense to -the superficiality of upper classes;
describe hypothetical - absurdities and contradictions of societal
situations; norms;
-disregards - extensive use of metafiction –
 chronological order; acknowledges its status as a work of art
and draws attention to the act of writing;

Toni “Beloved” America/African- Postmodernism - Influenced Sethe - Slavery; Third person - Magical - Influenced by African American
Morrison – - African American by her - African- limited; realism; - blurs folklore, mythology, and historical
essayist, American heritage; American Past and present the line between experiences, including the trauma
novelist, literature – culture; tense; blending supernatural of slavery;
editor, and - Racism; reality with and the real; - The complexities of the Black
professor; 1987 - Memory supernatural; - Lyrical prose; experience in America;
contribution and nonlinear - Intricate - Inspired by the story of an
to Black trauma; storytelling; rich and storytelling, enslaved African American that
literary - Motherhoo complex narrative; profound escaped with her children from a
renaissance d; Non-chronological; exploration of plantation; when the slave catchers
fragmented human caught up with her, rather than
memories; emotions and allowing her children to be
relationship; returned to slavery, she attempted
- Flashbacks; to kill them;
- Stream-of- - Beloved is the ghost of her
consciousness; daughter; - represents both her
family’s tragedy and the collective
pain and memory of slavery;
- Provides valuable insights into the
African American cultural
heritage, identity, and resilience.
- The novel is set in the years
following the Civil war, during the
era of Reconstruction; grasping
the challenges that African
American faced as they sought to
build new lives amidst persistent
discrimination and systematic
injustice;
Toni “Song of Solomon” America/African- Postmodernism The novel reflects Macon “Milkman” - Racism; Third person - Poetic prose; - Motif of flight;
Morrison - African- American the historical Dead III - Family omniscient - Rich - “Song of songs” – love of God for
American, context of the Civil Pilate and Ruth – dynamics; The narrator has symbolism; the people;
coming-of-age, Rights Movement minimization of - The search access to thoughts - Imagery; - King Solomon – known for the
historical and the ongoing female figures; for and feelings; - Foreshadowing; wisdom and the connections to
fiction – struggles for racial personal Past tense – the - Flashbacks; African heritage;
1977 equality and social identity; narrator reflects on - Anachrony; - Historical elements, as the great
justice; - Importanc the characters’ past - The symbol of migration, which refers to the
e of and explore the ‘flight’ mass movement of the African
cultural impact of historical represents the American from the rural South to
identity events; desire for the urban North in search of better
and freedom and opportunities and escape from
ancestral liberation; racial discrimination;
heritage; pursuit of one’s - Milkman’s journey of self-
aspirations; discovery;
- Through the experience of the
characters, the narrator highlights
the social, economic, and
psychological effects of racial
discrimination;
Kazuo “The remains of the England/ postmodernism Post-imperialist Stevens – the butler - Love; First person – - Rich description - The narrator embarks on a journey
Ishiguro – day” Japanese work; protagonist - Regret; precise, meticulous; of landscape of self-discovery;
each of his - Historical Ishiguro doesn’t harbors nostalgia for - Lost Bildungsroman and English - Personal growth through the
novels fiction novel, identify himself the English way of chances, Coming-of-age countryside; narrative;
describe an Bildungsroman- as a British, nor life before World lost novel - Cultural and - Pretentious vocabulary;
individual’s 1989 Japanese. This War II – when opportuniti Metaphors, symbols, historical - A story of human – not political
memories of attitude reflects Britain still held es, lost foreshadowing, heritage; regret;
how his or on his writings. colonies all over the love; ambiguity, - - British society, class distinction,
her personal His constructions world; - Alienation flashbacks; - Formal language- reserved and
life was of each society ; - Introspection proper manner of the butler; also
changed by are those of one - Class ; reflects the British aristocratic way
the Second who felt himself distinction - of life;
World War an outsider in ;
some sense.
Vladimir “Lolita” America/ Postmodernism “Lolita” offers a Humbert Humbert - Exploratio First person - Wordplay; - The beauty and the intensity of
Nabokov – -psychological fiction, Russian- glimpse into Dolores Haze n of Highly subjective - Rich language allows readers to remain
the Russian metafiction- American American culture in “Lolita” obsession point of view – sophisticated sympathetic to the pedophile
revolution in the mid 20th century, and distorted version of language; protagonist;
1917 forced 1955 as well as forbidden events - Linguistic - Confronts readers with
his family to Nabokov’s own desire; Unreliable character devices, word uncomfortable truths and raises
exile in experiences as an - Inappropri Past and present patterns, profound questions about identity,
Germany, immigrant ate tenses, reflecting multilingual obsession, and the consequences
after the rise relationshi Humbert’s dual expressions, of our actions;
of nazi p; perspectives as he references to - Nabokov portrays the depths to
regime, he - Manipulati recounts events from other works, which obsession cand lead,
once moved on; his past while artistic blurring the lines between love
again in the - Alienation commenting his allusions; and perversion, and highlighting
US; ; present experiences; - Moral the destructive nature of
ambiguity, unchecked desire;
ethical
dilemmas
Joseph “Catch-22” America/ modernism Post World War II; Captain Jack - Bureaucra Third person limited - The rule catch- Heller was a bombardier of 60 combats;
Heller – -satirical, anti-war American-Jewish Yossarian cy; Past tense – 22 - he uses humor, irony, and absurdity to
served as a novel- - Absurdity storytelling and - Irony criticize and expose the bureaucracy;
bombardier of war; provides sense of - Humor - dilemma of the rule catch 22: if claims
in the US 1961 - Friendship detachment; - Non- insanity to be declared unfit for duty, it
Army, / Non-linear chronological; shows he is rational and must continue to
during Camarader chronological order; - Repeated fly missions. However, if he willingly
World War ie; syntax; continues to fly, then he must be insane,
II; and thus not required to fly them;
He flew 60 -the absurdity of the rule encapsulates the
combats and illogical and impossible choices that the
experienced characters in the novel face;
the -Heller employs dark humor and absurd
absurdities situations to highlight the irrationality and
and horrors cruelty of war;
of war; -portray diverse personalities and
psychological complexities of the soldier
– each represents different reaction to war
and its impact on individuals;
Harold The caretaker Britain/British modern The play was Aston, Mick, Davies - - Dialogue and - Set against the backdrop of the mid-20th
Pinter theater/theatre of written in the Isolation subtext century, the play reflects the complexities
absurd aftermath of World power dynamics - Paradox of the post-war period, the rise of
War II, a period the struggle for - Foreshadowing existentialism, and the erosion of
marked by identity - Juxtaposition traditional social structures;
destruction, loss, - Allusion
and the - Dramatic irony
 reconfiguration of - Absurdity
global power -
dynamics.
Samuel Waiting for Godot Ireland/Irish Theatre of the he Theatre of the Existentialism - Repetition "Waiting for Godot" is celebrated for its
Beckett Absurd Absurd is a dramatic Absurdity - Symbolism innovative use of language, its blending of
movement that Time and waiting - Irony comedy and existential philosophy, and its
emerged in the mid- - Allusion invitation for interpretation. The play's
20th century as a - Absurdity open-endedness allows for various
response to the readings and discussions about its themes
disillusionment and and messages. It has been interpreted as a
absurdity of the commentary on the human search for
post-World War II meaning, the absurdity of existence, and
world. the struggle to find purpose in a world
that lacks certainty.
Edward Who’s afraid of America/ "Theatre of the Power dynamics "Who's Afraid of Dialoque The play takes place during a late-night
Albee Virginia Woolf American Absurd" is a term Relationship Virginia Woolf?" is Symbolism gathering at the home of George and
coined by Martin Illusion vs Reality celebrated for its Irony Martha, a middle-aged couple. They
Esslin to describe sharp dialogue, Dual meaning invite a younger couple, Nick and Honey,
a group of plays complex characters, over for drinks after a faculty party. As the
written primarily and exploration of night progresses, the interactions between
in the 1950s and the darker aspects of the characters become increasingly
1960s that share human relationships. confrontational and emotionally charged.
certain existential The play's title is a George and Martha engage in verbal
and absurd reference to English battles, revealing their deeply troubled
characteristics. author Virginia marriage. The lines between truth and
These plays often Woolf, known for illusion blur as secrets are exposed and
depict a sense of her introspective and facades are shattered. The play culminates
alienation, the emotionally charged in a series of devastating revelations that
breakdown of works. The play's leave the characters forever changed.
communication, intense emotional
and the absurdity and psychological
of human realism was
existence. groundbreaking for
its time and is
considered a classic
of American theater.
T.S.Eliot - The love song of Alfred American-British associated with the World War I and Quest for meaning - Modernist Aesthetic T.S. Eliot's writing style is characterized
was a J.Prufrock modernist Post-War Urban alienation Use of Allusion by its complexity, allusiveness, and
renowned The waste land movement Disillusionment Passing of time Exploration of Spiritual incorporation of diverse cultural
American- Themes references. His poetry and prose reflect
British poet, Imagery the influence of various literary traditions,
essayist, Symbolism including English, European, and Eastern
playwright, Stream of literature.
and literary consciousness Prufrockian Persona:
critic. Fragmentation In "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,"
Eliot introduces a persona that embodies
the uncertainties and anxieties of modern
life. This persona is introspective, self-
doubting, and reflects the inner thoughts
of a modern individual.
W.B.Yeats Sailing to Byzantium Ireland/Irish Symbolism/ Irish nationalism Age, mortality, love, Symbolism William Butler Yeats (W.B. Yeats) was a
Leda and the swan modernism and independence nationalism prominent Irish poet, playwright, and
The second coming movement Mythology literary figure of the late 19th and early
Nationalism 20th centuries. He was born on June 13,
Irish identity 1865, in Dublin, Ireland, and is
Spirituality considered one of the most influential
poets of the modernist literary movement.
Yeats played a significant role in the Irish
Literary Revival and was deeply engaged
in Irish cultural and political matters