My Favourite Classics and Modern Classics

As an English Literature Major and an avid reader, I have read many classics and modern classics in my life. So, I am bound to have a few favourites.

1) Emma by Jane Austen

Emma by Jane Austen is one of my favourite novels because the protagonist is extremely flawed. Emma, like Austen's heroines, is very smart and subverts the patriarchal society. She challenges the men around her. But her flaw is that she undermines others and thinks quite highly of herself. Many incidents and realisations later, Emma understands how her flaw has led her to be blind about the truth. Austen employs Emma as a tool for the readers to understand and work through their flaws.

2) The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The book is about Hester Prynne who is pregnant with another man's child when her husband is away for two years. She is made to wear clothes with the letter 'A' in the scarlet colour embroidered on her breast as a consequence of having committed adultery; resulting in her being ostracised by society. The Scarlet Letter could be read as a recalling of the story of Adam and Eve where sin and repenting are the major themes.

3) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

This book is simply one of the great literary texts to be ever written.

Toni Morrison beautifully explores the thought process of various African-American characters living in 1940s America. One has to read the book to enjoy it- my short summary will never be able to capture my feelings about this novel.

4) Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Lolita by Nabokov, in my opinion, gets a lot of backlash due to its misinterpreted content. The book is really about the psychology of the protagonist, Humbert Humbert who is awaiting his trial for murder. His upbringing and various incidents in his childhood have led him to believe that his preference for sexual partners is nymphets who are young girls, aged between 11-14. The plot mainly revolves around his step-daughter Lo. Written in a very poetic and artful manner, the novel explores the "Lolita complex". Nabokov, one of the most respected novelists of the modern age, hasn't shied away from dwelling into the psychoanalysis (a popular motif of the 20th century) in great depth.

6) Sula by Toni Morrison

Nothing captures black feminism like this book. The book is funny, gut-wrenching, sensual, beautifully written and highlights the strength of women who are portrayed as mothers, story-tellers and warriors.

7) Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brave New World explores the horrific future, where the Controllers of the World have created an ideal society. With the use of Science and Technology, society is perfected with people being happy with what they have and do not disobey their duties or ask questions.The book is so haunting because it is so close to reality- test-tube babies, genetic engineering and brainwashing are employed to create this world. This book a must-read for those who enjoy reading alternate reality fiction, sci-fi, and dystopian novels.