High school English can be a tough subject to master, whether it be the timed essays, reading comprehensions, or the deep analysis of texts. Despite having some struggles with English, it is still one of my favourite subjects since I love having the chance to expose myself to various genres of texts. Taking IB English, the opportunity to do so is even greater!
Here are 4 of my favorite literary works that contain a ton of literary techniques, themes, and authorial choices to unpack.
- Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman
This is a 1990 play by Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfman set in a post-dictatorial country (most likely Chile, but it is never specified, wonder why that may be?) that is slowly transitioning into democracy. The plot follows a young woman, Paulina Salas who seeks to punish a man whom she believes was her torturer when she was kidnapped by the dictatorship regime.
The play explores themes of seeking justice, gender based power dynamics, and the unreliable nature of truth. It also features a great load of literary techniques, my favorite being the leitmotif of classical music that you can analyze with different interpretations for days!
2. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
I’m sure many high school English courses require students to read this, but even if your course doesn’t, I still recommend this novella written by German Speaking Czech author Franz Kafka. Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” is an absurdist fiction novella with the plot revolving around the main character, Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one morning to find himself inexplicably transformed into a bug. Yep, you read that right!
Although seemingly ridiculous at first, upon close reading, this text carries deep themes about isolation, identity decay, hierarchical nature of communities, and existential dread. It is also even more powerful given the context behind Kafka’s background as a Jewish person raised in Prague, and his estrangement with his father.
3. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
I can feel you rolling your eyes at me. I know, I know, no one enjoys reading Shakespeare. But…Shakespeare’s plays are an essential part of most high school English courses, and it doesn’t hurt to expose yourself to them beforehand. Out of all the Shakespearean plays I’ve read, I genuinely enjoyed Macbeth and I believe many of the themes explored within it are relevant even today. Plus, it has sooo many literary techniques to analyze for that CRT!
As you might know, Macbeth is about the violent rise and fall of Scottish noble Macbeth. Packed with TONS of historical allusions, imagery, structural choices, this play examines themes of pride, societal pressures and expectations, jealousy, and self-awareness.
4. The Woman Who Could Not Live With Her Faulty Heart by Margaret Atwood
Poetry can be daunting to many, and I am no exception. However, I’ve found that if you take the time to sit down and analyze poems, they are so beautifully written, and there are so many hidden easter eggs that you can uncover. Pretend you’re a literary detective!
Atwood poetry in general is very rich with meaning, but “The Woman Who Could Not Live With Her Faulty Heart” is probably my favorite out of all the ones I’ve studied in class. It has a great deal of visceral imagery characterizing the speaker, a woman’s relationship with her physical body and her heart. She uses personification of the heart to create a sense of detachment and isolation. Featured themes include bodily decay, struggle for identity, and isolation.
TL;DR
Those are just 4 of many wonderful texts that I believe you should go and read, even if it is in your own free time and not necessarily for school work!