Why Characters Like Jane Eyre and Frodo Still Inspire Us

A memoir about a woman's experience with illness and her profound connection with a snail she observes.

Set in early twentieth-century Iceland, 'Independent People' follows the story of Bjartur of Summerhouses, a stubborn sheep farmer determined to live independently despite the harsh realities of rural life. The novel explores themes of independence, economic struggle, and the clash between traditional ways and modern cooperative movements. Through Bjartur's story, Laxness critiques societal illusions and the hardships faced by rural communities.

Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug. During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible. The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.

A Severe Mercy is a deeply moving memoir that tells the story of Sheldon Vanauken and his wife Jean 'Davy' Davis. The book recounts their intense and romantic love, their conversion to Christianity influenced by their friendship with C.S. Lewis, and the profound spiritual struggles Vanauken faced after Davy's untimely death. The memoir delves into themes of love, faith, grief, and the concept of 'severe mercy' as coined by C.S. Lewis, who played a significant role in their spiritual journeys. Through letters, poems, and personal reflections, Vanauken explores the complexities of human love and divine mercy.

Edith Hamilton's 'Mythology' is a definitive guide to the myths of Western culture, covering Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. The book is divided into several sections, including the gods, creation and early heroes, stories of love and adventure, the great heroes of the Trojan War, and lesser myths. It also includes a brief section on Norse mythology. Hamilton's work brings these ancient stories to life, highlighting their influence on art, literature, and cultural inquiry from antiquity to the present. The book serves both as a reference text for scholars and a readable guide for general audiences.

The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius. Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge. The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others.

The novel follows Jane Eyre from her childhood at Gateshead Hall, where she is mistreated by her aunt and cousins, to her education at Lowood School, and later her employment as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she falls in love with her enigmatic employer, Edward Fairfax Rochester, but discovers a dark secret about his past that forces her to make a difficult choice. The novel explores themes of love, independence, and social justice, and is known for its realistic portrayal of the inner life of a woman during the Victorian era.

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.