We all know that “the cannon” (Poe, Hawthorne, Elliot, Dickens, etc.) has been pushed on us throughout school. We have all read “the classics,” written by prominent men of the time period, but women have been writing books to make us think in this same analytical way for decades. Historically, we have books like “Frankenstein,” “Pride and Prejudice,” and “Jane Eyre.” Not to mention short stories and essays also talking about important topics.
More contemporary writers have emerged who also talk about topics of importance, but these stories are also pushed aside in literature classes, or are studied briefly without much thought while classes study “the Cannon” for hours on end. Contemporary books are important in the topics of discussion, and none more important than female writers who are trying to bring issues of society and culture to light.
Here is a list of five books written by women, that will make you think about the topics at hand, the same way “the cannon” authors do.
- Beloved: Toni Morrison
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This book details the intricacies of slavery and the long-lasting effects that it has on the characters in the novel. Beloved is one of Morrison’s most well-known, award-winning titles. This book deals with the effects of slavery, and the choices those involved had to make.
- The Handmaid’s Tale: Margaret Atwood
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The book addresses issues of feminism, power, and control. Atwood truly places you into the mind of her main character, Offred, and allows the reader to see this possible future through the eyes of an oppressed woman. Offred is a handmaid in Gilead, which is a totalitarian society. Dealing with power dynamics, control, and sexism, this novel reminds us why it is important to stand up for the freedoms we believe in.
- A Small Place: Jamaica Kincaid
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Focuses on the juxtaposition of tourists and the native life on the Island of Antigua. This is an examination of the effects of tourism, colonialism, and the government. This story talks about knowing your place in the world and how the choices you make can affect more than you think.
- Ceremony: Leslie Marmon Silko
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This book follows the story of Tayo, a young Laguna boy who attempts to reconnect with his Native roots after attending a boarding school for Native Americans. This story deals with the ideas of colonialism and assimilation , as Tayo struggles between his Native identities and those of white culture taught to him through the boarding school.
- Bad Indians: Deborah Miranda
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This story is a collection of essays and poems meant to highlight the experience of Native peoples living in the Bay Area. This story deals with the effects of settler colonialism, and how Native Americans’ cultures were essentially erased, specifically highlighted through the 4th grade origin project that makes multiple appearances throughout the book.