Author: William Shakespeare

Author Bio: William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is the renowned English playwright and poet, celebrated for his profound exploration of human nature and mastery of dramatic storytelling.

Summary:  This tragedy follows Prince Hamlet as he seeks to avenge his father’s murder, grappling with themes of revenge, madness, mortality, and the complexity of human emotion.

Reviews: Hamlet is widely regarded as Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, praised for its rich language, philosophical depth, and complex characters.

Why It’s Important: Teaching Hamlet introduces students to Shakespearean drama while exploring timeless questions about identity, morality, and the human condition. It develops critical thinking and literary analysis skills.

Trigger Warnings:  Madness, death, suicide, betrayal, and violence.

Author: Mary Shelley

Author Bio: Mary Shelley (1797–1851) was an English novelist best known for creating Frankenstein, a groundbreaking work of Gothic and science fiction literature.

Summary:  This novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a living being through unorthodox experiments, leading to tragic consequences that explore themes of ambition, responsibility, and humanity.

Reviews: Celebrated as one of the earliest science fiction novels, Frankenstein is praised for its exploration of ethics, identity, and the consequences of unchecked scientific pursuit.

Why It’s Important: The novel encourages students to reflect on the ethical implications of science and technology, as well as questions about creation, alienation, and what it means to be human.

Trigger Warnings:  Death, violence, abandonment, and psychological distress.

Author: Charlotte Brontë

Author Bio: Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855) was an English novelist and poet, known for her strong, independent female characters and exploration of social criticism.

Summary: This coming-of-age novel follows Jane Eyre’s journey from an orphaned child to a strong, self-reliant woman navigating love, morality, and social class in Victorian England.

Reviews: Jane Eyre is acclaimed for its pioneering portrayal of female empowerment and its deep psychological insight. It remains a classic of English literature.

Why It’s Important: Teaching this novel allows students to explore themes of gender, social injustice, and personal integrity, while developing skills in narrative analysis and character study.

Trigger Warnings:   Abuse, abandonment, mental illness, and emotional trauma.