Category: Classic Fiction


“The Turn of the Screw” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Classic Fiction, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense by Ms. Waddle — Leave a comment
June 2, 2009

The following reviews by COHS students are on “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James.
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 94-219 (depending on edition)
Reviewer: Jessica F.

The Turn of the Screw is about a governess that believes that she is seeing ghosts. In the beginning of the story when she sees the ghost for a second time, she believes that it was after Miles. After this incident, the governess keeps a close eye on both kids that he has to watch over. The governess sees a second ghost, and believes it to be going after the second child that she is watching, Flora. When the governess is out with Flora, she again sees the second ghost. She asks Flora if she sees it, and Flora denies it. Flora then says that she hates the governess. The day after the incident, Flora is struck sick. She is taken to her uncle’s house, and the governess stays behind with Miles. Miles sees the first ghost and drops dead into the governess’s arms.

The Turn of the Screw was a very interesting book. In my opinion, the author wrote the book very well. He used very good imagery words to make me feel that I was actually there and witnessing the story. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a good ghost story.

1. The author’s purpose in writing this book is to inform the reader that corruption of child innocence is always going to be around.
2. The theme of this book is child corruption.
3. The author supports the thesis by writing that Miles can be bad if he wants to. James also writes that Miles was kicked out of school, for reasons that are unknown.
4. The main issue that this book raises is that innocent children are being unfairly corrupted. It takes a passive stance in addressing and solving the issue.

Reviewer:  Natalie J.

In The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James, a woman goes to care for two children on the estate of Bly. Soon after she arrives all of her worries are erased by the fact that the children are beautiful and very pure. However, soon after she sees a man known as Peter Quint, appears to her even though she is dead. She confides this to Mrs. Grose, her new friend who expresses skepticism yet eventually identifies the man based on the governess’ description. Shortly afterwards the previous governess, Mrs. Jessel, appears to her, but she too is dead. After these events happen a few more times, she becomes convinced that Peter Quint and the previous governess are trying to take control over the children’s souls. The as the climax draws nearer, Mrs. Jessel appears again, but this time the current governess points her out to one of the children, Flora, and Mrs. Grose, yet they say they do not see her, which makes one question the governess’ sanity. Suddenly Flora falls ill and she and Mrs. Grose set out to see the girl’s uncle and ask for his help. The ones who remain are the governess and Flora’s brother Miles. Then as nighttime approaches she goes to Miles room and what she sees and the consequences following it are horrific to both her and  the boy.

In my opinion, Henry James did an excellent job in writing it, mostly because it can be interpreted in two ways: the governess is losing her insanity by seeing things that aren’t there or her theory is correct and the children know it yet don’t admit they are seeing their deceased friends. I believe the author does a great job in making us think twice, a principle we can use in everyday life.

1. Henry James purpose in writing this book is to entertain his audience with the governess’ conclusions and actions as a result of those conclusions
2. The theme of this book is don’t panic and don’t jump to conclusions because the consequences can be disastrous. Another possibility is that do not wait until the last minute to seek answers or help.
3. The theme of don’t wait until the last minute to seek answers is developed very slowly and becomes more evident towards the end of the novella. At the beginning, the governess refuses to tell her boss about the strange happenings at Bly, however at the end she is forced to when Flora, the little girl she is caring for, falls ill, and according to the governess the apparition of the previous governess brought this about.
4. Henry James makes the reader doubt whether or not the governess really sees the apparitions. He does this by having her see the apparitions and then when she informs Mrs. Grose, her new friend at the estate, she is skeptical. Also, when the governess points out one of the apparitions to Mrs. Rose and one of the children they say they do not see a thing. However the stance the author takes on these issues is unclear is there is evidence pointing to the fact the apparitions are real and to the fact the governess is slowly losing her insanity.

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“Robinson Crusoe” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Adventure Stories, Classic Fiction, Fiction by Ms. Waddle — Leave a comment
June 2, 2009

The following reviews  by COHS students are on “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pages: 320
Reviewer: Cristian B.

Robinson Crusoe is an Englishman from Europe. He is the third son in his family. His father warns him of the hardships that he will have to face if he ventures out into the world. Robinson wishes to go out to sea instead of staying home his whole life. He sets sail, but unfortunately, the second time the vessel is captures and he is kept captive. He escapes after being a servant for a few years and seeks another voyage. A violent storm hits and he alone is shipwrecked on a barren island. Over the course of a few days, he gathers supplies from the wrecked vessel just off shore.

Robinson Crusoe is one of my favorite books. I enjoy the adventure and excitement gained by reading about Robinson’s adventure. It inspires me; I want to go on a grand adventure one day. Nicely written but the original version has some writing that I do not understand completely. I plan on reading it again during the summer.

1. The author’s purpose towards writing the book was to tell a story of adventure and provide entertainment for the reader. The book has a hint of realism, and the way it was written makes it seem as if the author took part in these events.
2. Throughout the story, Robinson shows that perseverance and courage.
3. The author places Robinson Crusoe in situations in which perseverance and courage must aid him. This is a motif in the book. Robinson, time and time again, wishes during facing his hardships that he should have listened to his father and stayed home. Perseverance and determination place him back on his feet after every bump in the road.  While on his first voyage, during a great storm, Robinson ponders why he left home in the first place. After the storm subsides, though, he forgets his pleas to God and he is replenished with courage.
4. The main issue that Robinson Crusoe raises is how does one live by themselves for so long without going crazy. It could be compared to a modern person who surely would have died living by themselves for almost 30 years. With no internet, no cell phones, and worst of all no television, a modern person would not be able to bear the pain. Robinson, fortunately, is not plagued with these treasures and with perseverance and courage battles the evils of solitude and starvation.

Reviewer: Sebastian Waz

Crusoe is a native of the town of York and son of a merchant who believes Crusoe should lead a more modest life, despite his love for the sea. Disobeying his fathers wishes, Crusoe and sets off on a voyage towards South America. After a series of intricate and complicated events, a storm wrecks Crusoe’s ship on an island deserted of humanity. Crusoe soon finds that he is the lone survivor of the shipwreck and is left on the island to find sustenance. He manages to live on the island for an incredible amount of years before making the acquaintance of a cannibal he names Friday. One day, Friday catches sight of an English ship, which soon relieves him of his sentence on the island.

Robinson Crusoe is definitely an interesting story. Personally, I found the story to drag a bit after the most climactic events had already passed and at points, the author’s Old English can become difficult to decipher. For someone who has not read it, I would definitely recommend it since it is a classic novel.

1. The author’s main purpose in writing the book is for entertainment. The author writes the story as if it were a memoir and leaves distinct clues that hint to reality to give the reader an interesting glimpse into the adventure of Robinson Crusoe.
2. There are several themes evident in this novel, but one of the largest themes is perseverance in the face of a trying situation. Daniel Defoe supports this theme by showing Crusoe’s endurance and ability to survive all alone on the island for several years. Robinson scavenges the land for what he can utilize despite his apparent death sentence on the island, Robinson makes-do rather well without losing sanity.
3. The author develops and supports the thesis greatly throughout the novel, possibly, before Robinson has even shipwrecked. Robinson’s father constantly stresses the danger of adventuring too far, and when Robinson is the only survivor on the island, he soon realizes this. At first, he seems desperate and hopeless, but with the passage of time, Robinson soon becomes a master scavenger.
4. Having been written in the 1600’s, the tale of Robinson Crusoe does not address any modern issues that would still affect the present. Basically, Robinson Crusoe deals with a situation that would drive any average person to the edge. Crusoe’s willingness to survive shows how endurance can get you through even the most difficult challenges.

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‘The Invisible Man” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Classic Fiction, Fiction, Sci-Fi/Futuristic by Ms. Waddle — Leave a comment
June 2, 2009

The following reviews by COHS students are on “The Invisible Man” by H.G. Wells.
Genre: Science Fiction Novel
Pages: 278
Reviewer: Jonathan P.

In the beginning of the story, a strange man all covered up showing no skin whatsoever, appears at The Coach and Horses, which is a small inn.  He never came out of his room and always was messing around with some chemicals he had.  At the same time a lot of strange things start happening with no criminal to be found, but it turns out that it was Griffin, who turned out to be a very smart medical student when, trying to become invisible, succeeded but somehow couldn’t turn back to being visible. So the whole time he is trying to find a cure for his mishap but getting more frustrated and dangerous as the days go by with no cure.  In almost no time at all there are violent doings and in the end, he found the cure but because of the navy stabbing him, he died and slowly his body became visible on the ground.

In my opinion of this book, it had everything a good book should have.  For one thing, it’s plot was very intriguing and had me hooked from the moment I saw the word invisible.  The author used so many figurative elements in the story that not for one second was I lost or confused with what was going on or what the setting looked like.  The book also had a very important theme that everybody struggles with and it was very comforting to see an author use that, for a sense that I have a deeper understanding that we are all human and do have a difficult time sometimes accepting the consequences that have been thrust upon us.  All around, this is a tremendously good book that I would recommend to a lot of people.

1. I think that the author’s purpose for writing this book was to show people that no matter how curious you get about something and no matter what the consequences are, that you have to deal with them, because even though he was extremely curious about trying to become invisible, he didn’t like the consequences of not being able to turn back.
2. The basic theme and thesis of the book is acting before thinking and denial of very unpleasant events that are consequences of your actions.
3. The way the author put the development of the thesis is that little by little, the “invisible man” kept on getting more and more frustrated with his mysterious experiments by not getting the outcome that he had planned.  From the beginning when the invisible man said, “Not a bit,” said the stranger. “Never broke the skin. Hurry up with those things,” when he was bitten by the dog, you could tell that he was getting very impatient and had lost his last nerve with him trying to find a cure.
4. The main issue that presented itself in the book is simply dealing with the consequences you made for yourself in your own doings and the way it is basically solved is when Griffin finally found the cure through all of the mishaps that happened.

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“Things Fall Apart” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Classic Fiction, Fiction, Multicultural by Ms. Waddle — 1 Comment
June 2, 2009

The following reviews by COHS students are on “Things Fall Apart” by  Chinua Achebe
Genre: Classic African Novel
Pages: 181
Reviewer: Raven W.

This novel is about a man named Okonkwo, who strived to be better than his poor, undependable  father, Unoka. From early in his life he knew that he was going to be a great man; he was the best fighter in his village and had the respect of all of the people. Later he married three wives and had children with each of them, but Okonkwo was never satisfied because he felt that his son, Nwoye acted too much like a woman; the only child he accepted was his daughter Ezinma, but she also saddened him because she was not a boy. Okonkwo was banished from his village for seven years because he committed a murder. After the seven year period was over and he returned home he noticed that his village was completely different, he was no longer seen as the great man that everyone respected but as just another person. The changes that took place within his village are what eventually led him to suicide.

I thought that this was a very well written Novel. I was able to understand what the author was trying to explain, and it kept my interest. I enjoyed the fact that this novel realistically explains the way some people can react when placed in an uncomfortable position.

1. The author wrote this book to explain to the reader about Ibo life, their beliefs and traditions through the life of an Ibo man named Okonkwo.
2. State the theme and the thesis of the book. The novel has a religious theme. The thesis of this novel is ones difficulty to adjust to another person’s way of thinking/living.
3. The author supports his Thesis through the character Okonkwo, who spent his whole life trying to gain the respect of everyone. Okonkwo was so focused on being great that he neglected his family because he thought that that would make him seem “womanish”. Later in the novel Christians come to try and convert the Ibo people, but Okonkwo refused to participate in that worship and he thought that those who did were beneath him. He was never able to adjust to the new way of life (Christianity), and therefore he felt that he had to kill himself to escape the frustration.
4. The main issue in this book is ones ability to adjust to someone else’s way of thinking and being able to have enough courage to be yourself and not worry about what others think of you. This was the main struggles for Okonkwo, this issue was not solved until the end of the novel when he committed suicide.

Reviewer: Bianca N.

Okonkwo is known amongst all villages as the “Roaring fire” a nickname fit for him based on his undeniable strength at war. He was a wealthy man he had achieved great things in his village thus, he was respected by the young and the old. He had three wives, all of which bore children. Okonkwo never showed his weakness to his family, for fear that he would become like his father lazy and worthless. One day during a ceremony, Okonkwo was wielding a gun when, it accidentally fired and shot one of his kinsmen. This was taboo in his clan, thus Okonkwo and his family were banished for seven years. They retreated to his mother’s land where he was greeted by his relatives who helped him in this time. Soon, White men began to appear in villages one by one until they reached the village that Okonkwo had resided in. They began to build churches and they held days to attend church during the week. The villagers laughed at their customs and their belief in only one god that they believed ruled and was the almighty.

I Absolutely LOVED this book, it helped me to better understand my culture, it taught me Igbo (Ibo) words that I didn’t already know, and proverbs that without their existence in the book I probably wouldn’t have understood the book as much. I felt that I could connect with it, it was like I was listening to my grandfather tell stories about his youth in Africa. I went back and forth from my room to my father to help interpret the African words for me. It was interesting; I learned a lot of new things.   :-)

1. The author’s purpose in writing this book is to explain how a tribe so attached to their tradition could so abruptly fall apart when white people bring Christianity to Africa.

2. The theme of this book is the corruption of a new faith or the struggle between two customs.

3. The author develops the thesis by starting the story with how the people were at peace and how they treated and performed their customs, then he starts to bring out the talk of strangers appearing in a village and how they came like bees, one would come so as to observe and report back to the rest, and then the pack would arrive later. With this he now introduced the white men as ominous beings upon their land.

4.  The main issue that the book raises is the importance of is obeying one god or chi. The stance that it takes to address this issue is illustrated in the book many times as people threw away their babies as an order from their earth god in order for the land to be prosperous. They listened to whatever their god told them without any questions.

Reviewer: Adrianna V.

Genre: Postcolonial critique; tragedy

Although his father was a lazy man, Okonkwo, the protagonist, becomes a great and powerful man in his home of Umuofia, a group of nine villages in southeastern Nigeria. As he grows up, Okonkwo builds his social status in the village through hard work and showing no weaknesses.  He is selected by the elders to be the guardian of Ikemefuna, a boy taken prisoner as a peace settlement between two villages. For three years, Ikemenfuna lives with Okonkwo’s family and they grow fond of him. Then the elders decide that Ikemenfuna must be killed. The oldest man in the village warns Okonkwo not to participate, but he does so anyway. Shortly after Ikemenfuna’s death, many things go terribly wrong for Okonkwo. During a funeral ceremony, he accidentally kills someone. This results in him and his family being exiled for seven years. When Okonkwo returns, he finds his village has been changed by the presence of white men. He and other tribal leaders try to reclaim their land, but are taken prisoners. When the local leader of the white government comes to arrest Okonkwo for killing a white messenger he finds that he has hanged himself, ruining his great reputation.

I thought “Things Fall Apart,” was a very well written novel. When I was first reading this novel I thought it was not going to be that interesting. As I read further and learned more about Okonkwo and his village life the story become more informative and enthralling. This novel taught me about Ibo cultural traditions and how willing the villagers were accepting of the European judgment that they had no history or culture worth considering. I thought Chinua Achebe’s writing style was eloquent and educational.

1. The author’s purpose in writing the novel was to inform the world about Ibo cultural traditions and remind  his own people of their past and assert that it did contain much value.

2. The theme of the novel is the struggle between change and tradition. The thesis of the novel is the importance of customs and traditions.

3. The author supports the thesis throughout the novel. “The Oracle of the Hills and the Caves has pronounced it. They will take him outside Umuofia as is the custom, and kill him there” (Achebe 57). In this time and village it was the custom to kill a fellow villager without feeling any remorse as long as the Oracle told them to do it. “Yam stood for manliness, and he who could feed his family on yams from one harvest to another was a very great man indeed” (Achebe 33).  It was very important for men to be able to be the soul providers for their families.

4. The main issue the novel raises is the arrival of white missionaries in Nigeria and its impact on traditional Igbo society in the late 1800s. The stance it takes to address the issue is how the tribal leaders and fellow villagers were willing to murder the white men just so they could be able to worship their own gods. The issue was solved when the white men had the tribal leaders and villagers either arrested and put in prison or converted to their religion.

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“The Brothers Karamazov” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Classic Fiction, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Fiction, Over 375 pages by Ms. Waddle — 1 Comment
June 2, 2009

The following reviews by COHS students are on “The ” by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Pages: 776
Reviewer: Michael T.

The book begins with Alyosha dedicating his life to religion and the highly respected monk Zosima who he will study under. Alyosha is the youngest of three brothers and a very benevolent character.. The oldest is Dmitri the middle is Ivan. Ivan is a very logical character and he struggles with morality throughout the story, not being able to accept the evil in the world and the idea of a benevolent good at the same time, though he wishes he could and flips back and fourth between the ideas many times. Dimitri is a very sensual and impulsive person, but through the progression of the book he begins to regret his past ways, especially the many love triangles he was involved in: him, Ivan and Katerina and him his father and Grushenka. The ladder of these two affairs leads to the climax of the book when he is wrongly accused of patricide. This is also the tipping point for Ivan, when he is confronted by Smerdyakov he is told that it was actually him who committed the murder, using Ivan’s own logic to justify it. This leaves Ivan in a state of confusion. Dmitri is found guilty, and sentenced to 20 years hard labor in Siberia, something the finally confirms him to the man he was trying to become.

The Brother Karamazov was a truly inspirational and thought provoking book. It posed many questions that I have already been struggling with. Things such as: do good and evil exist, and how do you define them? What is morality? Does god exist and if he does is he malevolent of benevolent? Not only was the content good, but the presentation was nothing less than respectable, the extreme character development and vastly deep and dynamic characters made items of everyday life seem philosophically deep as it offered new insight into them from three completely different perspectives. Though it was a little hard to follow at times the plot never dragged and it most certainly makes my list of top ten books.

1. The author of The Brothers Karamazov wrote the novel in order to show the classic struggles and burdens that man is encumbered by throughout his life; good versus evil.
2. The theme of this novel is the classic struggle between good and evil and the complications that ideas like freewill and religion can impose on this struggle.
3. This central theme is developed by several very dynamic characters, at the center of which are the three brothers. The story is told through the eyes Alexei Fyodrorvich, or Alyosha as he is called, though he is not the narrator. He is a man of very pure and kind hearted ideals, while his brothers, Dimitri and Ivan, are more sensual and logical respectively. And through the trials that these brother go through the theme is presented.
4. The main issue the book raises is that of morality and religious faith, a question of logic versus reason. This is to push the question of what these thing mean to a persons life, is it better to be logical or faithful? The book clearly sides with faith.

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“Oliver Twist” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Classic Fiction, Fiction, Over 375 pages by Ms. Waddle — 1 Comment
June 2, 2009

The following reviews by COHS students are on “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens
Genre: Classic drama
Pages:350
Reviewer: Zachary D.

First Oliver gets kicked out of his orphanage then he goes to a coffin making place. After that he runs away because he feels that he is being mistreated. When he gets to his next destination he becomes a pick pocket. By the end of the book Oliver is living with a rich family becomes like a son.

I did not like this book one bit it was horrible. The characters bugged me and I did not like there personality. Overall I just thought the book was cheesy. The thesis was morally good but the way the author made was horrible.

1. The author’s purpose is to tell a child’s fight for freedom and a better life.
2.  The theme of the story is identity because of the orphans and the thesis of the story is to try to save the poor and orphans.
3. Oliver develops through out the book by becoming more and more mature and finding new ways to have freedom. The author supports the thesis because in the end of the story Oliver gets a good home.
4. What main issue does the book raise and what stance does it take in addressing and solving the issue? That in America even if you are poor and have no parents you can still have a good life. The author addresses the issue by giving Oliver a better life in the end.

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“Crime and Punishment” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Classic Fiction, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Fiction, Over 375 pages by Ms. Waddle — 1 Comment
June 2, 2009

The following reviews by COHS students are on “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 542
Reviewer: Alejandra M.

Raskolnikov kills two people and robs them. Later on he is speaking with the murderers and faints so the police start to suspect him. He calls off his friends wedding and later falls in love with the bride-to-be. His friend Sonya tries to make him confess and it works. Raskolnikov is taken to the prison in Siberia and Sonya moves to the town outside the prison. After he is freed Razumikhin and Dunya are married for a short while. Then he realizes his true feelings for Sonya.

Crime and Punishment was an interesting book because of the issues. At the same time it was hard to know what was happening. Even though I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would still recommend it to friends because of the entertaining story.

1. Dostoyevsky’s purpose for writing Crime and Punishment was to show that people can change overtime.
2. The theme of Crime and Punishment is to think about the consequences before you commit the action.
3. The way the author shows changes in the novel is very slowly; with an increase in tension.
4.  The main issue that Crime and Punishment raises is: is it correct to cause someone psychological pain? The way the author solves the issue is by punishing Raskolnikov years later.

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“Jane Eyre” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Classic Fiction, Over 375 pages by Ms. Waddle — 3 Comments
June 2, 2009

The following reviews by COHS students are about “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 560

Reviewer: Robert S.

Jane Eyre, an orphan whose father and mother was killed by typhus, lives in Gateshead at age ten with her aunt Reed, spiteful of her since Jane’s mother married Jane’s father, a priest. Jane lives an unhappy life with Mrs. Reed and her children, and during her experience in staying in the room where the late Mr. Reed lived, she is scared intensely and is seen by a doctor, who recommends that she go to school after she confesses her misery living in Gateshead. She is then sent off to Lowood, an orphan school based on the charity of others. She meets Helen Burns, a passive, Scottish girl who take insults from one of her teachers; Jane befriends her and one of the teachers there, Miss Temple. Later at Lowood, Helen dies of typhus. Later, at age eighteen, Jane has become a teacher at Lowood and wants to adventure out.   She becomes a mentor at Thornfield, at the Fairfield residence, where later she falls in love with Edward Rochester, a gentleman “disturbed” by his experiences with his family. They are about to be married when Jane finds that Edward is already married to Bertha Mason, an insane woman who Rochester  tried to hide from his life. Jane then leaves Thornfield, poor and starving, to Norton, where she is saved by St. John Rivers, who Jane finds out to be her cousin. After working there as a teacher, Jane is asked to marry him so she can accompany him to India for missionary work, but she refuses. She then returns to Rochester, who is now in Fernandan manor after a fire at his house in Thornfield and marries him secretly, and she is happy and blissful ten years later.

Jane Eyre a slightly slow, yet good tale about love. I recommend checking it out. Although it is an “acquired taste,” the novel is still solid. The characters each have some type of emotional complexity which I find refreshing in a novel. One thing that I thought Bronte could have done more is make the love story more seamless with his socioeconomic analysis of Victorian society in England.

  1. The author’s purpose in writing the book is the idea of love as well as analyzing English Victorian society.
  2. The same theme, in better detail, says that love can surpass socioeconomic norms.
  3. The characters help raise that theme. The character Edward is an example; he is a gentleman who is cast down by his family, and falls in love with Jane, a socially low lady, which goes against the Victorian social standards during the day.
  4. The book surprisingly on love as a transcending factor, as well as the main issue of social class in Victorian society. Over the course of the novel, Jane is mocked by the aristocratic class because of her position. She is even coldly considered a criminal and based beggar when she arrives in Norton. This issue is solved by her love, and eventual marriage to Edward. Edward, even though he socially surpasses Jane, considers her as his intellectual equal, and their marriage dashes all what Victorian society expects of the two. This helps highlight the issue’s resolution, that social class is not a determining factor, and love can transcend all things.
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“The Picture of Dorian Gray” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Classic Fiction, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense by Ms. Waddle — Leave a comment
June 2, 2009

The following are reviews by COHS students of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by  Oscar Wilde.

Genre: Faustian theme, horror gothic fiction

Pages: 235

Reviewer: Charmaine M.

Dorian Gray was this man of whom everyone liked so much for his beauty, although rather careless but for himself. He introduces homosexuality, as well as hendonism, when lord Henry shows him this new world at which is a philosophy of ultimate pleasure of humanity. Dorian thought this was his beauty. His friend Basil, whom ought to think that it was the greatest art he has ever made, painted Dorian his own portrait. As Dorian hopes to look beautiful all his life, he decides he wanted to just live long life and let the painting age instead. This then happens, and his portrait reveals how evil he is and how old he is. Dorian then gets desparate and blackmails a friend, kills his friend, and at last, his own portrait. After stabbing the portrait, he ends up destroyed instead.

I think this book opened me up to a lot of things, especially philosophy. I think it’s a great book, but I suggest that if given this to another person, it is highly recommended that they are mature enough. It is an amazing mystery and truth behind everything.

1. The author’s purpose in writing this book is introducing a very controversial topic: hendonism, horror-gothic, and fautism. These basically state a person’s philosophy.

2. The theme and Thesis kind of state homosexuality, and double life.

3. The author supports its thesis and theme by using Dorian, the main character, as the big issue. Everyone liked him so much, that even his good friend, Basil, thinks he is so beautiful. Lord Henry also supports the thesis and introduces hendonism to him. The double life is supported by Dorian wanting the portrait to age rather than himself, for his beauty is so important to him, soon taking a double life.

Ex. Of quotes:

“But beauty, real beauty, ends where an intellectual expression begins. Intellect is in itself a mode of exaggeration, and destroys the harmony of any face.”
- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray Ch. 1

“Some day you will look at your friend, and he will seem to you to be a little out of drawing, or you won’t like his tone of colour, or something.”
- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray Ch. 1

4. The main issue of this book is a person taking double life, because the main character is “hendonistic”, and he believes his beauty us way important than anything else. When he got sick of looking at his real  ugly self, he decided to stab his painting and he ends up dying himself, as the portrait ascends back to its original form.

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“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Student Reviews 2009

Filed under: Classic Fiction, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense by Ms. Waddle — 1 Comment
June 2, 2009

The following are reviews by COHS students of “The Strange Tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Genre: Gothic Horror

Pages: 224

Reviewer: Gavin G.

The book follows a lawyer named Mr. Utterson, as he tries to figure out the mystery that surrounds one of his best friends Dr. Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll is a troubled scientist that hates the fact that he has to hide secrets from his most beloved friends and family. He eventually concocts a potion and is then turned into the embodiment of what he most hates about himself, a man named Mr. Hyde. As Mr. Utterson begins to discover the strange similarities between the two seemingly individual people, Dr. Jekyll begins to increase the rate at which he takes the potion, and eventually Dr. Jekyll is able to induce his Mr. Hyde state without taking the potion. The book ends with Mr. Utterson having knowledge of Dr. Jekyll’s condition and Mr. Hyde still being on the loose.

I really enjoyed this book, even though the dated language that was used made it hard to follow. I enjoyed the dual personalities of Dr. Jekyll, because it always managed to turn the book upside down and gave you a new perspective on the things that occurred in it. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde was very enticing.

1. Stevenson’s purpose for writing this book was to show that all humans no matter who they are have the capability to be either good or evil.

2. The theme of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is that every person has two sides that make up their own individual personality.

3. The theme and thesis are developed by the split personality that Dr. Jekyll has. By using two characters in one, Stevenson chose to develop the characters in any way that was beneficial to where the story was heading.

4. The book shows that good and evil truly lies in all of us, even though we don’t realize it. raise and what stance does it take in addressing and solving the issue?

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