Quizbowl Lit. Set 1

Hamlet (1601) – William Shakespeare

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, seeks revenge against his uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father to seize the throne and marry Hamlet's mother. The play explores themes of madness, betrayal, and death, culminating in a tragic series of events.

The Scarlet Letter (1850) – Nathaniel Hawthorne

Set in Puritan Massachusetts, the novel follows Hester Prynne, who bears an illegitimate child and is forced to wear a scarlet "A" for adultery. Her lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, remains anonymous, while Hester's estranged husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks revenge. The novel explores themes of sin, guilt, and societal judgment.

Macbeth (1606) – William Shakespeare 

A Scottish nobleman, Macbeth, is driven to murder King Duncan by the prophecy of three witches and the urging of his wife. His subsequent descent into tyranny and madness leads to his downfall and death, as themes of ambition, guilt, and fate unfold.

King Lear (1605) – William Shakespeare

King Lear divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their flattery, only to be betrayed by two of them. Stripped of power and descending into madness, Lear reflects on family, loyalty, and justice, leading to a tragic ending.

Othello (1622) – William Shakespeare

Othello, a Moorish general, is manipulated by his envious ensign, Iago, into believing that his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful. Consumed by jealousy, Othello kills Desdemona before learning the truth and taking his own life.

The Tempest (1611) – William Shakespeare

Prospero, a magician and rightful Duke of Milan, has been exiled to an island. With the help of his daughter Miranda and his magical powers, he conjures a storm to bring his usurpers to the island. Themes of revenge, forgiveness, and the supernatural play out as order is restored.

Moby-Dick (1851) – Herman Melville

Captain Ahab is obsessed with hunting Moby Dick, a great white whale, after losing his leg to it. The novel, narrated by Ishmael, explores themes of obsession, nature, and humanity’s struggle against fate, culminating in a tragic final confrontation with the whale.

Don Quixote (1605) – Miguel de Cervantes

An aging nobleman, Alonso Quixano, believes himself to be a knight named Don Quixote and sets out on absurd adventures with his loyal squire, Sancho Panza. The novel is a satire of chivalric romances, highlighting themes of reality versus illusion.

The Great Gatsby (1925) – F. Scott Fitzgerald 

Set in the Jazz Age, the novel follows the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby as he pursues his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Narrated by Nick Carraway, the story critiques the American Dream and explores themes of wealth, class, and disillusionment.

Jane Eyre (1847) – Charlotte Brontë 

Orphaned and mistreated, Jane Eyre becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she falls in love with its mysterious master, Mr. Rochester. The novel explores themes of social class, morality, and the quest for independence and equality in love.

Iliad (8th century BC) – Homer 

This epic poem focuses on the final weeks of the Trojan War, particularly the rage of Achilles, a great Greek warrior. Themes of honor, fate, and the human cost of war are central, as the gods influence mortal actions.

Pride and Prejudice (1813) – Jane Austen 

 Elizabeth Bennet navigates issues of class, marriage, and morality in Regency-era England. Her complex relationship with Mr. Darcy forms the heart of the novel, which critiques societal expectations, especially regarding marriage and wealth.

1984 (1948) – George Orwell

Set in a dystopian future, Winston Smith rebels against the totalitarian regime of Big Brother, which controls every aspect of life. The novel explores themes of surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth, warning about the dangers of totalitarianism.

Ulysses (1922) – James Joyce 

 A modernist retelling of Homer’s Odyssey, Ulysses follows Leopold Bloom through a single day in Dublin. The novel is known for its stream-of-consciousness style and deep exploration of the human mind, with themes of identity, time, and history.

A Streetcar Named Desire (1947) – Tennessee Williams

Blanche DuBois, a fading Southern belle, moves in with her sister Stella and her aggressive brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski in New Orleans. Blanche’s attempts to maintain her illusions of grandeur are shattered by Stanley’s brutality, culminating in her mental breakdown. The play explores themes of reality versus illusion, desire, and class conflict.

Paradise Lost (1667) – John Milton 

This epic poem recounts the biblical story of Satan’s rebellion and the fall of man. Themes of free will, temptation, and redemption are central, as Adam and Eve’s disobedience brings sin into the world, and Satan’s pride leads to his damnation.

The Merchant of Venice (1596) – William Shakespeare

The play centers on Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, who demands a pound of flesh as collateral for a loan. Themes of mercy, justice, and prejudice are explored as the conflict between Shylock and the merchant Antonio unfolds.

The Canterbury Tales (1387) – Geoffrey Chaucer 

 A group of pilgrims tell stories to pass the time as they travel to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. Each tale reflects different social classes and moral lessons, with themes of love, power, and human folly woven throughout.

Our Town (1938) – Thornton Wilder

A minimalist play about daily life in the small town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. Narrated by the Stage Manager, the play follows the lives of two families, focusing on the love story between Emily Webb and George Gibbs, and later Emily’s reflections on life and death. It emphasizes the beauty of everyday moments and the fleeting nature of life.

The Divine Comedy (1314) – Dante Alighieri

1. Dante’s epic poem is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. It follows Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, guided first by the poet Virgil and later by his beloved Beatrice. The work explores Christian theology, moral justice, and the soul’s path to salvation.

Crime and Punishment (1866) – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Rodion Raskolnikov, a poor student, murders a pawnbroker in St. Petersburg, believing he is justified in doing so. He struggles with guilt and paranoia, and the novel explores his psychological turmoil and moral dilemmas. Themes of redemption, guilt, and the nature of good and evil are central.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) – Mark Twain

Tom Sawyer, a mischievous boy, embarks on various adventures in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri. With his friend Huck Finn, Tom witnesses a murder and later hunts for treasure. The novel is a nostalgic portrayal of childhood, with themes of friendship, innocence, and rebellion.

Candide (1759) – Voltaire

Candide, a naive young man, travels the world enduring various hardships, including war, natural disasters, and betrayal, all while searching for his lost love, Cunegonde. Through his adventures, Voltaire satirizes optimism and critiques the philosophy of "all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds." The novel explores themes of disillusionment and the folly of blind optimism.

The Red Badge of Courage (1895) – Stephen Crane

Henry Fleming, a young soldier, grapples with fear and courage during the American Civil War. Initially fleeing from battle, Henry later longs for a wound—a "red badge of courage"—to prove his bravery. The novel explores the psychological effects of war and the conflict between heroism and cowardice.