The Importance of Being Earnest
—Author: Oscar Wilde
—Score: 3, 825
—Average rating: 4.17/5, based on 277,734 ratings
This comedic play by Oscar Wilde takes a satirical (讽刺的)look at Victorian social values while following two men—Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff—as they tell lies to bring some excitement to their lives. The Importance of Being Earnest was Wilde’s final play, and some consider it his masterpiece.
A Raisin in the Sun
—Author: Lorraine Hansberry
—Score: 3, 550
—Average rating: 3.76/5, based on 59,314 ratings
The story follows the Youngers, a working-class black family living on the South Side of Chicago who move to an all-white neighborhood during a time of desegregation (取消种族隔离). In 1959, Lorraine Hansberry became the first black playwright to get a play produced on Broadway.
Frankenstein
—Author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
—Score: 7, 931
—Average rating: 3.78/5, based on 1,032,148 ratings
The story was published in 1818 and introduced readers to Dr Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who brings to life a creature he assembled from discarded corpse (丢弃的尸体)parts. Although Dr Frankenstein is horrified by his creation and abandons it, the creature manages to educate itself and then seeks revenge on his creator. The novel explores humanity’s desire for innovation and the fear of change it brings.
Animal Farm
—Author: George Orwell
—Score: 18, 315
—Average rating: 3.92/5, based on 2,377,098 ratings
A group of farm animals organizes a revolt(起义)after they realize their master, Mr Jones, is mistreating them and offering them nothing in return for their work. When they challenge the leadership, they are disciplined for speaking out. This classic isn’t about animal rights. It is a larger critique(评论)of Soviet Communism. Orwell wrote it as an attack against Stalinism in Russia.
1. Which book may interest one who is doing a project about black people in the US most?
A.The Importance of Being Earnest. | B.A Raisin in the Sun. |
C.Frankenstein. | D.Animal Farm. |
2. What kind of book is Frankenstein?
A.A science fiction. | B.A realistic fiction. |
C.A biography. | D.A fairy tale. |
3. Why did Orwell write Animal Farm?
A.To raise people’s awareness of animal rights. |
B.To protest against Stalinist government policies. |
C.To document a historical event in a fun way. |
D.To promote Soviet Communism. |