Katie Cunius

Title/author: Antigone by Sophocles

Characters:

Antigone- tragic heroine, determined to honor brother’s death, independent-

doesn’t need others help/support

Creon- King of Thebes, power hungry, more loyal to land than family

Ismene- Antigone’s foil, understands and accepts place in society

Haemon- Antigone’s fiance and son to Creon, killed himself after Antigone’s

death leading to a series of deaths

Setting: This play takes place in a town called Thebes in ancient Greece. More

specifically it takes place in front of the palace. This is important because the

palace has been the setting for various tragic events for Antigone’s family, and is

the setting for more tragic events in this play. It is where Jocasta (mother) killed

herself, where Oedipus (father turned brother) gouged his eyes out, and the reason

her brothers fought and died (the throne/protecting Thebes).

Major Conflict: Antigone’s disapproval of Creon’s decision not to give Polynices

a proper burial. This leads to Antigone taking the situation into her own hands,

and risking her life, to give her brother justice by burying him. Antigone, after

disobeying her uncle Creon, was arrested. While in jail Antigone hung herself,

showing she still had power over what happened to her and her actions. She hung

herself right before Antigone was about to be let go free. This then led Haemon to

stab himself, which prompted his mother to kill herself. Creon is left to live by

himself

Symbols: Birds- Birds show many things throughout this book. First, the chorus

describes Polynices as a bird (eagle)- causing havoc on the town of Thebes and

further describes him as an aggressor. Antigone was also described as a mother

bird for she was “hovering” over Polynices grave. This is another example of

Antigone’s care and love for her brother.

Themes:

Despite an individual believing he/she has free will, fate will always determine a

person’s outcome in the end.

The desire for power blinds people to what is important, and allows them to

partake in extreme actions.

Those who are passionate enough about a cause can break out of the social norms to pursue their intentions.  

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Characters: Raskolnikov- the protagonist of the novel, Raskolnikov, is a former student, who

lives in poverty. Raskolnikov’s name means “schism” which references Raskolnikov’s inner struggle between good and evil. Raskolnikov is an intellectual, who frequently questions societal rules and the existence of God.

Sonya- Marmeladov's daughter, Sonya, embodies human compassion and forgiveness. She effectively acts as the catalyst for Raskolnikov’s change in the novel, as she persuades him to confess to killing Alyona and helps him find salvation.

Svidrigailov- Svidrigailov embodies evil in the novel, as he cheats on his wife, attempts to rape Dunya and is a child molester;he possesses little redeeming qualities (if any), as he gives money to Dunya and Katerina Ivanovna. Svidrigailov also acts as foil to Raskolnikov, as instead of confessing to his sins and taking responsibility for his crimes, he kills himself.

Setting:Crime and Punishment takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia. Throughout the novel, Dostoevsky describes the city as dirty, humid and chaotic. Drunks, prostitutes, and beggars have free range of the streets crowded streets. The city stands as a symbol of Raskolnikov’s mental state, as while Raskolnikov lives in the city he is irritable and his behavior is erratic. It is only when Raskolnikov moves out of the cramped and dirty city does he reclaim his humanity. Furthermore, the city also symbolizes societal inequality and suffering.

Conflict: Raskolnikov’s struggle with guilt: In the novel, Raskolnikov believes that he is

superman. In other words, he thinks that he is superior to man and thus above the laws that govern the rest of society. Therefore, Raskolnikov assumes that he is justified in killing the pawnbroker, Alyona, since she is a “louse” or a parasite that feeds off the poor. However, soon after killing Alyona and her sister, Lizaveta, he is confronted with immense guilt, indicating that Raskolnikov is not wholly evil and possesses human-like qualities. Moreover, it is due to this guilt that Raskolnikov’s mental state begins to deteriorate and alienates his friends and family.

The struggle between good and evil:  In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov commits the ultimate sin, murder. However, this atrocious act does not construe him completely as a villain, since Raskolnikov possess redeeming qualities. To illustrate, he gives Katerina Ivanova a significant amount of money even though he is impoverish himself, and he saves children from a burning building. Throughout, the novel Raskolnikov must face this internal struggle, as his namesake suggests. Furthermore, the forces of good and evil as represented by Sonya and Svidrigailov respectively pull Raskolnikov in two different directions.

Symbol/Image:The Cross- represents the pain and suffering that Raskolnikov endures before he confesses his sin. Moreover, the cross stands as a symbol of Raskolnikov’s redemption;

when he decides to wear the cross, it serves as symbol of Raskolnikov beginning his path to redemption.

Themes: Feelings of superiority can propel an individual to ignore society’s laws. Alienation ultimately brings about intolerable suffering. The act of evading punishment causes more pain and suffering than does the

actual punishment for the crime.

Dr. Faustus

Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley

Characters and Attributes • Sister Aloysius Beauvier: The head nun and principal of St Nicholas School. Driven by

a high sense of duty but rigid and conservative.• Father Brendan Flynn: A middle aged priest. Articulate and personable. Well-known.• Sister James: A young impressionable nun. Enthusiastic but inexperienced teacher.• Donald Muller: An introverted, somewhat effeminate boy, the school's first black

student after transferring from the public schools, becomes an alter boy• Mrs. Muller: The mother of Donald Muller.

Major Setting• St. Nicholas Church School, in the Bronx, during the fall of 1964• Civil rights in NYC during the progressive 1960s (african americans, homosexuals)

• Donald Muller was St. Nicholas’ first African-American student• Vatican II/Second Vatican Council (1962-1965)

• Series of meetings that heads of the RC Church held to try to modernize the church 

• Masses no longer spoken in Latin, things became a bit more progressive

Major Conflicts• Aloysius has a deep mistrust toward her students, her fellow teachers, and society in

general. • Aloysius learns that father Flynn met one-on-one with Donald Muller, and she believes

that sexual misconduct occurred. • Flynn angrily denies wrongdoing, insisting that he was disciplining Donald for drinking

altar wine, claiming to have been protecting the boy from harsher punishment.• Mrs. Muller supports her son's relationship with Flynn, saying he might be gay• Flynn transfers parishes, leaving no actual proof that he is or is not innocent

Symbol • Wind - symbolic of gossip

• Flynn’s sermon mentions how wind can carry gossip like feathers, scattering them all over and making it hard to collect them again for reconciliation

Themes• “In the pursuit of wrongdoing, one takes a step away from God”• It is difficult to be certain, even in an environment of faith• Liberal vs. conservative attitudes in teaching and in the Church

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Characters:

1. Cathy Ames

a. Has no conscience whatsoever

b. Direct representation of Satan himself

c. After murdering her parents by setting fire to their home, she becomes a

prostitute and the mistress of Mr. Edwards.

d. Late in life, she commits suicide after meeting her son, Aaron.

2. Charles Trask

a. Son of Cyrus Trask

b. Favors his son Adam's gift of a puppy over Charles' gift of an expensive

knife

c. Charles represents the biblical character of Cain

3. Adam Trask

a. Protagonist

b. Honest man represents Abel

c. Son of Cyrus Trask

d. Falls in love with Cathy Ames when she wanders onto his farm

4. Cal Trask

a. Son of Adam and Cathy

b. Jealous of twin Aaron

c. Indirectly kills his brother Aaron by causing him to enlist in the Army

d. Represents the concept of timshel

5. Sam Hamilton

a. Mentor to Adam Trask

b. Irish immigrant

c. Contrasts Cyrus

d. Positive principles of life

Setting:

Salinas Valley, California-The setting spans introduces years before and after the turn of

the nineteenth century, ending after the start of World War I. He uses the setting to show

the conflicts that the characters in the novel faced to emphasize the relationship between

humans and nature, bringing the story into a more Biblical forefront. The geography and

climate correlate to the events of the novel further contributing to the tone of the novel,

such as the abandonment of the rural farm settings. In a paralleled way, the natural

descriptions represent the Garden of Eden (East and West) and the peace and tragedy that

occurred there. Steinbeck writes about the seasons and climate at points in order to

portray the changes and obstacles that the characters inevitably encounter.

Symbol:

1. Scar

a. Charles’s scar corresponds to the “mark of Cain” in the biblical story of

Cain and Abel. After God discovers Cain’s murder of Abel, he banishes

Cain to the lands east of Eden and puts a mark on Cain so that no one who

encounters him will kill him. Both Charles and Cathy had a scar on their

face, marking their evilness. People who saw the scar stared at it, and

therefore for Charles and Cathy, they're like distinguishing features. In a

way, the scar actually represents protection, as it keeps people from killing

Cain.

Conflicts:

1. Charles, Adam and Cyrus- This conflict begins with Cyrus’ birthday, Adam gave

his father a stray puppy while Charles gave him an expensive Swiss knife. Cyrus

never used the knife but was always played with the dog. Charles grew bitter of

Adam for being the favorite. Adam was then sent into the cavalry by his father as

a sign of honor. This event parallels the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. Cyrus’s

actions cause Charles to hate Adam which proves to be detrimental later in the

story where Cathy Ames is introduced and the brothers’ rivalry still exists.

2. Adam and Cathy-Adam finds Cathy at his farm and saves her from near death. In

doing so, he falls in love with her and remains blind to her inherent evilness.

However, conflict is evident when Cathy was in labor. Soon after Cathy was well,

she pulled a gun on Adam and shot him in the shoulder.  She left to work in a

whore house owned by a lady named Fay. Adam grew very depressed after Cathy

left him.  He neglected his children who were cared for by Lee. 

3. Caleb and Aron- The conflict between Caleb and Aron is the direct result of their

upbringing. Their relationship with their father, Adam, proved to be a repetition

of earlier relationships in which Caleb grew jealous of Aron for being the favorite

son. Caleb was bitter at Aaron and decided to get revenge on him by taking Aron

to see his mother, who Aron previously believed was dead. Aron was so shocked

when he saw his mother working as a prostitute he joined the army. Aron died in

the military and Caleb felt that he was guilty of murdering him.  Adam was so

distraught by Aron’s death that he went into shock and died. But just before he

died, Caleb asked Adam for forgiveness, in the form of timshel.

Themes:

1. It is dependent on the individual to choose between good and evil, as represented

by the concept of timshel (“thou mayest”).

2. Redemption as the ultimate sign of free will and forgiveness.

Title: Hamlet

Author: William Shakespeare

Important Characters:

Hamlet: Main protagonist, Prince of Denmark, Seeking revenge for his murdered father

Claudius: King of Denmark, Murdered King Hamlet, married his wife, plans to kill Hamlet

Horatio: Hamlet’s best friend, relies on logic to guide him Ophelia: Hamlet’s lover, loses her mind

Setting: Denmark – relationships with Norway (Fortinbras) and England

Conflicts:

Hamlet’s quest for revenge and worth The results of his pretended madness, manifesting in the fate of Ophelia

Symbol:

Yorick’s skull: the inevitability and permanence of death

Themes:

Often what seems to be is not the truth at all. The nature of death is unknown, so how can it inspire fear.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Characters: 1. Jane Eyre

a. Governess, teacher, obedient, resilient, moral.

2. Edward Rochester (Mr. Rochester)

a. wealthy, master, “Byronic hero”.

3. St. John Rivers (Sinjin!)

a. missionary, practical/logical.

4. Bertha Mason

a. madwoman (- she deserves some respect!), untamed, animalistic.

Major Settings: Takes place in England.

1. Gateshead Hall

b. Early childhood is spent here with Mrs. Reed - characterized by Mrs. Reed’s harsh treatment of Jane. Her big moment of defiance and rebellion against Mrs. Reed is important in the evolution of Jane’s character.

2. Lowood School

3. First place Jane goes after leaving Gateshead - symbolizing a new beginning, and a safe place but also a continually harsh, strict, and usually unforgiving environment for Jane to live in. However, Jane flourishes as an excellent student and finds a home at Lowood, staying until she’s 18 as a teacher.

4. Thornfield Hall

a. Thornfield is finally a welcoming, comforting, peaceful place for Jane. Here, she experiences real love with Rochester for the first time. However, Thornfield is also an extremely turbulent place; the presence and reveal (during the wedding at Thornfield) of Rochester’s wife Bertha Mason practically destroys Jane’s life and happiness.

5. Moor House

a. Another place of transition for Jane. She runs away from Thornfield to Moor House to live with her cousins after her failed wedding. Jane describes it as lonely, simple, and and bland. This creates an environment for Jane to develop her independence, strength, and individuality. She is also courted by St. John while at Moor House.

Conflicts:1. Jane has a strong moral compass and is a strong character, but the setting and

people she interacts with as a child is oppressive and damaging, embodied by her relationship with the abusive Reed family and the hypocritical teacher, Mr. Brocklehurst.

2. Jane and Rochester’s love is tested multiple times-- by Rochester flirting with Blanche, by the appearance of Bertha, and St John’s proposal

Symbolism:1. Red is constantly a symbol in Jane Eyre, most often symoblizing unpleasant life

expereinces such as anger or anxiety. Ex: The Red Room Jane must stay in as a punishment and she has a hysterial fit.

Themes:1. Love is enduring, withstanding, and paramount. Ex: Jane and Rochester’s love

withstands many obstacles and Jane will only marry for love.

2. One’s morals and values can propel them forward in society despite a low-standing social class. Ex:  Jane, although impoverished and coming from a poor background, rises up in the ranks of society to become a teacher, while the richer characters, such as Mr. Brocklehurst, are still hypocritical and morally-corrupt.

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Characters: Gregor Samsa- Traveling salesman who turns into a bug. Grete Samsa- Gregor’s sister who is the only one who attempts to care for him. The father and mother- Gregor’s parents who rely on him to support him.

Setting: The Metamorphosis takes place in the family’s apartment specifically in Gregor’s

room.Conflicts:

The main conflict is Gregor becoming a bug and no longer being able to provide for the family.

A secondary conflict is the boarders hating Gregor and his physical needs.Motifs:

The literal metamorphosis Sleep Money

Symbols: The woman Gregor cuts out of a magazine and hangs on his wall Food

Themes: Existentialism

o Life is absurd. o Death is not preventable.

Sympathy has limits. Should one be dedicated to one’s family or him or herself?

Oedipus Rex…

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Main Characters:

Chief Bromden: The narrator of the book. Chief is important because he acts as a living representation of the change McMurphy has on the ward. Chief grew out of his shell, pretending to be deaf and unresponsive, to become emotionally strong enough to put McMurphy out of his misery and escape the ward at the conclusion of the novel.

Nurse Ratched: The head nurse, Ratched is often compared to a machine with technical diction. She is cruel and power hungry. In one of the most well known passages, the patients say that they are rabbits that need to be protected by wolves, Ratched being the wolf. While she loves demonstrating her power, there is a part of her that protects the patients from the outside world. She is calculated, conventionally beautiful, and can be emotionally abusive. Above all, she hates being disobeyed.

Randle McMurphy: McMurphy is the most essential character to the plot and message of this book. McMurphy is the change that the ward needed. Although he tragically becomes a vegetable, before that, he taught the patients about independence and how meaningless rules are designed as a way for Ratched to exercise her power, not a way for the ward to maintain the peace. McMurphy is often compared and written as a force of nature, the polar opposite to Ratched. Wild and unpredictable, McMurphy helps the ward see what is truly crazy about the way they all love. His main desire is to make them question the authority they used to mindlessly obey.

Important events:-McMurphy's entrance into the ward-The subtle undermining of Ratched's rules     ~The World Series game-Chief's coming out of his shell-When McMurphy sneaks prostitutes and contraband into the ward-Bibbit's suicide after Ratched's threat to tell his mother-McMurphy's freak out at Ratched, almost killing her and ripping open her shirt, exposing her breasts-McMurphy's lobotomy-Chief killing McMurphy and escapingImportant ideas:-Anticonformity-The relationship between men and women in the ward and in the real world-The contrasting imagery associated with Ratched and McMurphy -The "real world" that Chief talks about

The Stranger by Albert Camus

Main Characters:

Meursault: the main character and the narrator. He is emotionally indifferent to almost everything and everyone around him and rarely chooses to act out of obligation. He doesn’t let anyone tell him what to do or how he should live his life. He kills an Arab for really no purpose and doesn’t show any concern or emotion for the consequences that may come because of his actions.

Marie: Meursault’s lover. She really loves Meursault despite his indifference towards marrying her; she still wants to get married and helps him through his trial.

Raymond: Meursault’s neighbor who seeks Meursault for helping when he thinks his wife is having an affair. He behaves with lots of emotions and is very violent and beats Arab’s on the beach.

Major Settings:

Algeria-slightly before WWII: Importance of Meursault’s character as an outsider. At the time the French ruled Algeria as a colony. Meursault was a member of the “ruling class” but was accused of murdering a native Arab. Killing an Arab was a minor offense, but not obeying French and Christian customs was apparently punishable by death and that is why his trial was so significant.

Major Conflicts:

Meursault’s indifference to societal norms and expectations around him: After his murder, society tries to impose rational explanations for his attitudes and actions, but Meursault ignores what they say. Meursault doesn’t want to agree to the Chaplain and feels differently about the meaning of life.

Symbol:

The sun: was controlling Meursault’s actions, and it drew him closer to the Arab and in the end forced him to pull the trigger.

Themes:

Conformity in society Absurdity leads to irrational decisions (existentialism) Meaninglessness and indifference of human life

Tess of the D’ubervilles by Thomas Hardy

Characters: ● Tess Durbeyfield- “pure of heart” female protagonist who suffers from the

consequences of a patriarchal society● Alec d’Urberville- manipulative young man who uses his control to attempt to

seduce Tess and use her● Angel Clare- Intelligent young man who falls in love with Tess but struggles to

understand what his personal morals are in their relationship

Settings● Southwest England: emphasis on the idea of a patriarchal society during time

period● Dairy Farm: symbolism of milkmaid, important for development of relationship

between angel and tess

Conflicts● Tess is seduced by Alec D’uberville and eventually impregnated and then left by

Alec. This leads her to be punished in society even though she is extremely unselfish. She tries to hide her past from the man she falls in love with, Angel Clare, but then he finds out about her past. This creates a major conflict between the current relationship of Angel and Tess and the past relationship of Alec and Tess.

Symbol● Prince the Horse: the symbol of the D’uberville family and how although they are

supposed to represent a rich family, they actually are poor and impure.

Themes● Double standards in a patriarchal society lead to the destruction of the

independence of women● The ignorance of society creates an unfair environment for even the most selfless

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

Characters: Antoinette – based on Bertha from Jane Eyre Mr. Rochester – Antoinette’s husband, very unhappy in the Caribbean, makes

Antoinette move back to England with him Christophine – a wise servant that is loyal to Antoinette, practices obeah (voodoo)

Setting: Caribbean (Jamaica/Dominican Republic) – where Antoinette is happiest, her true

home England – where Mr. Rochester lives, locks Antoinette in an attic in his home

Conflict: Antoinette struggles to reconcile the different parts of her identity (such as race,

culture, socioeconomic status) Mr. Rochester and Antoinette’s marriage falls apart and eventually she goes

insane Symbol:

Fire, which represents both political and emotional rebellion, like when ex-slaves set fire to the estate and Antoinette dreams of setting fire to Mr. Rochester’s home

Themes: Factors like race, class, gender, and culture affect how we perceive and relate to

others and how we form a sense of identity Oppression can take many forms, including social, economic, and political

oppression