The Metamorphosis
Author: Franz KafkaSummary: After turning into an insect, a man falls out of favor with his family and eventually diesCharacters: The Manager, Roomers, Gregor, GreteThemes: Family Romance, Dehumanizing effect of capitalism and the line between the human and the bestial
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Author: ShakespeareSummary: After a bewildering night in a fairy-haunted forest, three couples are united in marriage.Characters: Demetrius, Egeus, Helena, Hermia, Hippolyta, Lysander, Philostrate, Theseus, Oberon, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mote, Mustardseed, Punk, Titania, Nick Bottom, Francis Flute, Tom Snout, Snug, Robin Starveling, Peter QuinceThemes: Imbalance in relationships, use of magic, illogical, comforting quality of dreams
Moby Dick
Author: Herman MelvilleSummary: A monomaniacal captain tries and fails to kill a monstrous white whale.Characters: Ahab, Bildad, Captain Boomer, Daggoo, Fedallah, Flask, Gabriel, Ishmael, Father Mapple, Moby Dick, Peleg, Pip, Starbuck, Stubb, Tashtego, Queequeg.Themes: Limits of knowledge, dubious existence of fate, exploitative nature of whaling.
Much Ado About Nothing
Author: ShakespeareSummary: Believing that his fiance’ is unfaithful, a man publicly shames her before recognizing his mistake and marrying her; two longtime rivals are tricked into admitting that they love each other.Characters: Antonio, Balthasar, Beatrice, Benedick, Borachio, Claudio, Conrad, Dogberry, Hero, Don John (the Bastard), Leonato, Margaret, Don Pedro, Ursula, VergesThemes: Courtly grace, deception as a means to an end, lost honor of a woman
