literature Archives

Perseverance and Kindness in Black Beauty

By Katarzyna Ignatik, ’20 Carin Harner, instructional coach with Hillsdale’s Barney Charter School Initiative, calls Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty “beautifully written with rich content, a view into the old world […]

The Topsy-Turvy World of Alice in Wonderland: Finding Logic Amidst Chaos

By David Gaebler, Hillsdale College Associate Professor of Mathematics What lessons does Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland teach children about growing up? Alice’s experience of growing (and shrinking) is deeply […]

King Arthur: What These Ancient Legends Can Teach Us Today

The Barney Charter Schools include a paraphrased version of legends about King Arthur and his Round Table in third grade. Hillsdale College Associate Professor of English Patricia Bart, who teaches […]

Wit and Wisdom in Cyrano de Bergerac

By Tomek Grzesiak When one thinks of classic drama, familiar titles include works such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Oedipus Rex. But one lesser-known play worthy of our attention […]

Fahrenheit 451: Books with “Texture”

Can you imagine a world without books? Ray Bradbury tackled the prospect of such a world in his 1953 dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451. In studying this text, we come to understand the continued value of books in our society, one that’s not so far removed from Bradbury’s futuristic vision.

Call Us Ishmael: Teaching Moby Dick at Golden View Classical Academy

Mr. Ian Atherton, the Upper School Humanities teacher at Golden View Classical Academy, shares how he brings Herman Melville’s classic novel, Moby Dick, to life through Whale Days, complete with harpoons, anchovies, and chalk sketches of the great white whale.

Life and Love in Much Ado About Nothing

This tale of two sets of lovers takes readers on a delightful romp through the pitfalls of passion and the sweetness of falling in love. Dr. Benedict Whalen offers his insight on the importance of Shakespeare’s beloved play.

A Christmas Carol—A Tale for All Seasons

You don’t have to wait until December to read Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. This tale of Scrooge’s transformation—of finding value in the smallest of things—offers important lessons any time of the year.

Truths Universally Acknowledged: Community, Trust, and Respect in Pride and Prejudice

From its iconic opening sentence, Pride and Prejudice takes us into a world of dashing bachelors, fair ladies, and friends and family intent on finding the perfect husband for the eligible maidens in their midst. But first impressions are not always accurate impressions, as the characters discover in Jane Austen’s delightful classic.

Epic Poem, Epic Questions: Studying Milton’s Paradise Lost

John Milton’s Paradise Lost, one of the greatest epics of all time, offers not only beautiful poetry but also deals with the perennial questions of good and evil.

So Much Scope for Imagination: The Vivid World of Anne of Green Gables

Step into the wide-eyed, wonder-filled world of Anne of Green Gables, where imagination reigns supreme and adventures await Anne at every turn.

The Real Treasure in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island

Shiver my timbers! Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic book, Treasure Island, codified the language of pirates that remains a staple of pop culture. But Treasure Island offers more than a high-seas adventure with swashbuckling characters, as Professor of Education Dan Coupland explains.