Most common books on the AP Literature Exam

AP English Literature and Composition

The AP English Literature and Composition exam is designed to assess students' understanding of a wide range of literary works, including both classic and contemporary texts. These works are chosen to reflect the themes, styles, and periods commonly found in the canon of Western literature, as well as diverse works from different cultures and time periods. Below is a comprehensive guide to some of the most commonly studied books for the AP Literature exam, categorized by themes, genre, and style.

1. Major Themes in AP Literature Works

• Existentialism and the Human Condition: Many of the works on the AP English Literature Exam focus on existential themes such as the search for meaning, human suffering, and the nature of existence.

  • Example: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – The themes of isolation, ambition, and responsibility are explored through the tragic story of Victor Frankenstein and his monster.

  • Example: Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett – A modernist play that examines existentialism through two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who wait for the mysterious Godot, reflecting on futility, time, and the meaning of life.

• Love and Relationships: The complex nature of human relationships, including romantic, familial, and societal, is a recurring theme.

  • Example: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – The theme of love and marriage is explored through the evolving relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, with social class and individual character playing central roles.

  • Example: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – This novel delves into the illusion of the American Dream, with the protagonist’s obsession with Daisy Buchanan representing unattainable love and materialism.

• Society and Class: Many AP Literature works explore the tension between the individual and society, particularly regarding social class and social mobility.

  • Example: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, struggles with alienation from society and the phoniness he perceives in the world around him.

  • Example: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck – The theme of class and the American Dream is examined through the lives of migrant workers in the Great Depression.

• Identity and Self-Discovery: Many novels explore the theme of personal identity, often through coming-of-age stories or struggles with individual purpose.

  • Example: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath – A semi-autobiographical novel that explores mental illness and identity as Esther Greenwood grapples with societal expectations of womanhood and her personal aspirations.

  • Example: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison – The novel addresses themes of racial identity and the personal struggles of an unnamed protagonist who is "invisible" in society due to his race.

2. Commonly Studied Novels on the AP Literature Exam

Classic Novels

• "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley (1818)

  • Genre: Gothic, Science Fiction

  • Plot: The story of Victor Frankenstein, who creates a creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment, only for it to become a source of terror and regret. Themes of hubris, responsibility, and the dangers of unchecked ambition are explored.

  • Common Questions: Analyze the theme of creation and destruction in the novel. How do characters in the novel struggle with isolation?

• "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen (1813)

  • Genre: Novel of manners, Romance

  • Plot: Set in rural England, the novel follows Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates societal expectations, family dynamics, and her complex relationship with the wealthy but aloof Mr. Darcy.

  • Common Questions: Explore the themes of social class and marriage in the novel. How does Austen use irony to critique societal norms?

• "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad (1899)

  • Genre: Modernism, Psychological fiction

  • Plot: The protagonist, Marlow, travels up the Congo River into the heart of Africa, where he learns about the darkness within human nature.

  • Common Questions: Discuss the symbolism of darkness in the novel. How does Conrad critique European imperialism and colonialism?

Modern Novels

• "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

  • Genre: Modernist novel, Tragedy

  • Plot: Nick Carraway narrates the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, whose obsession with wealth and the love of Daisy Buchanan leads to his downfall.

  • Common Questions: Examine the themes of wealth, identity, and the American Dream. How do the novel's characters embody the social class distinctions of 1920s America?

• "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger (1951)

  • Genre: Coming-of-age novel

  • Plot: Holden Caulfield, the alienated teenage protagonist, narrates his journey through New York City after being expelled from an elite prep school.

  • Common Questions: Discuss Holden's feelings of alienation and his quest for authenticity. What does the title of the novel symbolize?

• "Beloved" by Toni Morrison (1987)

  • Genre: Historical fiction, Magical realism

  • Plot: Set after the Civil War, the novel follows Sethe, a former slave haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter.

  • Common Questions: Analyze the themes of memory, guilt, and slavery. How does the character of Beloved represent both literal and symbolic forces in Sethe’s life?

Poetry

• "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot (1915)

  • Genre: Modernist poetry

  • Themes: Alienation, identity crisis, and indecision. Prufrock reflects on his inability to make meaningful connections or take decisive action in life.

  • Common Questions: Discuss the poem’s exploration of modern disillusionment. How does Eliot use imagery and symbolism to depict Prufrock’s inner conflict?

• "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe (1845)

  • Genre: Narrative poem, Gothic

  • Themes: Grief, loss, and the supernatural. The narrator’s descent into madness is marked by the repeated word “Nevermore.”

  • Common Questions: Explore how repetition enhances the mood of the poem. How does Poe create a sense of hopelessness through his choice of symbolism and tone?

3. Drama

• "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams (1947)

  • Genre: Tragedy, Modern American drama

  • Plot: Blanche DuBois moves in with her sister, Stella, and her abusive husband, Stanley Kowalski. The play explores desire, class conflict, and the psychological unraveling of Blanche.

  • Common Questions: How do the characters of Stanley and Blanche represent opposing values of masculinity and decay? Analyze the role of mental illness in the play.

• "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller (1953)

  • Genre: Tragedy, Historical drama

  • Plot: Set during the Salem Witch Trials, the play examines the consequences of mass hysteria and the dangers of mob mentality.

  • Common Questions: Discuss how the play critiques the dangers of fear and intolerance. How does Miller use allegory to comment on McCarthyism?

• "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare (1600)

  • Genre: Tragedy

  • Plot: The play tells the story of Prince Hamlet, who seeks revenge against his uncle Claudius for the murder of his father.

  • Common Questions: Explore the theme of revenge in the play. How does Hamlet’s indecision contribute to his tragic downfall? Analyze the significance of madness in the play.

4. Non-Western Literature

• "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe (1958)

  • Genre: Historical fiction

  • Plot: The novel follows Okonkwo, a respected leader in a Nigerian village, as he faces the challenges brought by colonialism and Christianity.

  • Common Questions: Analyze the role of tradition and change in the novel. How does the story reflect the impact of colonialism on African cultures?

• "The Mahabharata" (Epic poem, 1000 BCE–400 CE)

  • Genre: Indian epic literature

  • Themes: Dharma (duty), ethics, morality, and warfare. This epic explores the conflict between good and evil through the story of two families—the Pandavas and Kauravas.

  • Common Questions: Discuss the role of fate and destiny in the Mahabharata. How do the characters struggle with moral dilemmas?