three books that make us think
by Jesus V. of HIgh Tech High International '14
Why do we read? To entertain or make us think? Most of the time, I read to entertain myself. Though, I think that it all depends on the book that you read. The reason I think this is because you could be reading something assigned to you by a teacher or simply because you happen to pass a bookstore and find a book that looks interesting so you want to read it just to enjoy it. I chose these three philosophical fiction books in order to entertain myself and to get me thinking.
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Anthem
Ayn Rand - 105 pages Equality spends his time writing in a tunnel within his city. This is breaking the law in this city. He begs for forgiveness against the ruling Council. Equality always wanted to be a scholar. He was the smartest and tallest kid at his school, but the Council assigns him to be a street sweeper instead of being a scholar. When he was ten, he witnessed the execution of the person who invented the word “I.” As he burned, Equality locked eyes with him and wanted to continue his work. He discovers the meaning of the word “I,” and he vows to protect his home and launch a new race of men who will believe in individualism and the never-ending supremacy of the ego. This book made me think about how racism and similar issues have not faded away after all the progress we have made. also learned not to give up on wherever you're trying to get in life. |
Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse - 256 pages This book is about a depressed man named Harry. Nothing and no one seem to please or bring him any type of joy. That changes when he meets Hermine. She’s the complete opposite of him, though. She’s happier and enjoys life. She’s also the only person that's able to open him up. It is because of Hermine that Harry meets a girl, learns to dance, and joins forces with Pablo, a jazz saxophone artist. It is also because of her that his depression fades away. Harry then falls for Hermine, which means that he has to kill her because of a pact they made earlier. Mozart appears to him afterwards to tell him that life is filled with less than ideal circumstances, and he should learn to laugh about it. |
The Stranger Albert Camus - 123 pages In Meursault is a young dude that wakes up one day receiving a telegram telling him that his mom died. When he stays there, he stands vigil over his dead mom’s body. Afterwards, there’s an incident where he shoots a man. He got caught up and ends up in jail. Because of his lack of grief, the prosecutor calls Meursault a monster and says that his lack of moral feeling threatens all of society. He seems cold blooded and won’t stop believing that the human race has no greater existence. He gives up and this acceptance makes him feel happy. This book will make you think about how people should live life to the fullest and not stress over simple things because there is a solution to everything. |