Monika Greeleaf on Nabokov

The novel, presented as the posthumously published memoirs of Humbert Humbert, explores themes of obsession, pedophilia, and the manipulation of reality. Humbert, a European intellectual and pedophile, becomes infatuated with Dolores Haze, whom he kidnaps and sexually abuses after marrying her mother. The narrative delves into the complex and disturbing relationship between Humbert and Lolita, highlighting issues of morality, solipsism, and the erasure of Lolita's independent identity. The book is known for its eloquent but deceptive narrator and its exploration of delusion, coercion, and cruelty.

Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements.

Ulysses is a groundbreaking and complex modernist novel that chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners over a single day. The novel is loosely based on Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey', with Leopold Bloom paralleling Odysseus, Stephen Dedalus paralleling Telemachus, and Molly Bloom paralleling Penelope. It explores themes such as antisemitism, human sexuality, British rule in Ireland, Catholicism, and Irish nationalism. The novel is known for its innovative use of language and narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and multiple literary styles. It captures the essence of early 20th-century Dublin, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's social, political, and cultural landscape.

Published in 1857, 'Madame Bovary' is a seminal work of literary realism that tells the story of Emma Bovary, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who marries Charles Bovary, a dull and unambitious doctor. Emma's life is marked by boredom, romantic fantasies, and a series of ill-fated love affairs with men like Rodolphe and Léon. Her inability to distinguish between her romantic ideals and the harsh realities of her life leads to financial ruin, public scandal, and ultimately, her tragic demise. The novel is renowned for its masterful writing, detailed psychological insights, and its critique of bourgeois provincial life.

In 'The Social Contract', Jean-Jacques Rousseau outlines a theory of government where the legitimacy of political authority stems from the consent of the governed. The book begins with the famous line 'Man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains,' highlighting the tension between natural freedom and the constraints of societal laws. Rousseau argues that a legitimate state is formed when citizens enter into a social contract, surrendering some of their natural rights in exchange for civil rights and the protection of the general will. The general will, a collective idea of the common good, is central to Rousseau's theory, and he advocates for a system where the people, as the sovereign, make decisions directly and where laws ensure liberty and equality. The work has been influential in shaping modern political thought and has played a significant role in the French Revolution and the development of democratic principles.

The Raven is a narrative poem by Edgar Allan Poe, published in 1845. It tells the story of a grieving man who is visited by a raven, which symbolizes his despair and loss. The poem is known for its dark and melancholic tone, its use of symbolism, and its haunting rhythm and rhyme scheme. It is considered one of Poe's most famous works.

The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is set in 17th-century Boston and revolves around Hester Prynne, a young woman who is publicly shamed for committing adultery. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' on her clothing as a symbol of her sin. The novel delves into themes of guilt, sin, redemption, and the strict moral codes of the Puritan community. Hester's husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks revenge against her lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, a local minister who is wracked with guilt over his secret sin. The story explores the psychological and emotional suffering of the characters, ultimately leading to a dramatic public confession by Dimmesdale and the subsequent consequences for all involved. The novel is a classic moral study and a masterpiece of American literature, critiquing the hypocrisy and rigid moral standards of the Puritan society.

Written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky between 1867 and 1869, 'The Idiot' follows the story of Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, a young man with a pure and innocent heart, often mistaken for an 'idiot' due to his simplicity and goodness. The novel examines how this 'positively beautiful man' navigates a world filled with corruption, moral decay, and complex human relationships. Myshkin's interactions with characters like Nastasya Filippovna and Aglaia Epanchina highlight themes of love, suffering, sacrifice, and the clash between idealistic values and the harsh realities of society. The novel ultimately leads to Myshkin's mental breakdown and his inability to cope with the world around him.

The Divine Comedy is an Italian narrative poem begun around 1308 and completed around 1321. It is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The poem discusses the state of the soul after death and presents an image of divine justice, describing Dante's travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. It is an allegory representing the soul's journey towards God, drawing on medieval Catholic theology and philosophy, especially Thomistic philosophy. The work is considered one of the greatest in Italian literature and Western literature, and it helped establish the Tuscan language as the standardized Italian language.

Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad, is a novella that examines the horrors of Western colonialism. The story is narrated by Marlow, who recounts his journey as a riverboat captain for a Belgian trading company in the Congo. Marlow's journey takes him deep into the African jungle, where he encounters the enigmatic and brutal ivory trader Kurtz. The novella delves into themes of power dynamics, morality, and the psychological impact of colonialism on both the colonizers and the colonized. It is a landmark of modern fiction, known for its narrative and symbolic power, as well as its acute psychological penetration.

The Carmina of Gaius Valerius Catullus is a collection of Latin poems written in the 1st century BC. The poems are divided into three formal parts: short poems in varying meters, longer poems including elegiac couplets, and epigrams. The collection includes reflections on personal relationships, notably with Lesbia, as well as interactions with friends and rivals. It portrays the complexities of emotions in human connections, ranging from passionate love to bitter disillusionment and social commentary. The poems are known for their intimate and candid tone, and they provide a snapshot of life in ancient Rome.

The Canzoniere, also known as Rime Sparse, is a collection of 366 poems written by Francesco Petrarca. It includes 317 sonnets, 29 canzoni, 9 sestinas, 7 ballads, and 4 madrigals. The poems are divided into two main sections: 'in vita di madonna Laura' (During the Life of Madonna Laura) and 'in morte di madonna Laura' (During the Death of Madonna Laura). The central theme is Petrarch's enduring and often unrequited love for Laura, whom he met in 1327. The collection explores themes of love, loss, and the poet's emotional journey.