6 Literary Triumphs you should read to feel like an english major
A bookshelf filled to the brim with a variety of different types of books.
To be clear, English majors all have different books they read throughout their academic careers. It depends on a variety of factors such as which classes one takes and what professors one learns from. Despite this, there are many books that a majority of those with a BA in English have read.
Some of these books are pretty common in English literature department syllabi, and some are less so, but all could hypothetically be read in the course of getting a BA in English (I speak from experience). So, I’ll spare you the joke about liberal arts degrees only qualifying people for jobs waiting tables and dive right in.
Here are six literary triumphs you should read to feel like an English major.
1. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
This is one of those books that virtually all English majors read, and for good reason. An absolute classic of the English language literary canon, this book really is a spectacular piece of fiction for a variety of reasons.
For one, the story is just compelling. With fleshed-out characters, but enough ambiguity to leave you to have to reason out why people behave the way they do, it really does suck you in. Beyond this, it’s wonderfully written and is a great read for any aspiring writer.
If you’ve never read a book of fiction with the intention of deeply analyzing it, Wuthering Heights is a wonderful choice to start with. And, you’ll most definitely feel just like an English major whilst doing so.
2. The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon
Though not as common as Wuthering Heights, there are definitely scores of English majors out there who have read Thomas Pynchon’s The Crying of Lot 49 in American lit classes. This weaving narrative full of wild characters and odd situations follows a 1960s woman who encounters what might be a conspiracy.
Weird, engaging, and masterful, this novel highlights many of Pynchon’s best qualities as a writer. While entertaining, this book is far from a cozy and easily digestible beach reach. It abounds in odd and abrupt happenings which require you to pay attention while engaging with the book.
However, despite feeling a little more involved, Pynchon’s work can help you grow as a reader and a literary analyst. Not to mention, if you’re a fan of his writing style, he has plenty more enjoyable works for you to continue to explore.
3. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Pretty much any lit major who when to school in America will have read some Faulkner. While The Sound and the Fury may be a little more popular in these circles, As I Lay Dying is also found on scores of syllabi.
For many, William Faulkner was the greatest writer of the 20th century, and this book will show you why. Illuminating the robust and complex inner worlds of family members who may seem like simpletons to the outside world, Faulkner was a master of taking any situation and using it as a way to pierce the heart of the human condition.
Written from different points of view, many professors utilize this masterful piece of fiction to teach students about unreliable narrators and how authors can use this device to create a profound narrative. If you really want to dive into amazing American literature from the canon, this is as good a place as any to start.
4. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A staple in British literature classes across the world, Thomas Huxley’s Brave New World is truly a creative marvel. Reading much like a modern dystopian novel, it’s important to remember that this novel was quite revolutionary for its time.
Painting an odd futuristic society in which all people are test tube babies specifically created to be part of a certain rank in society, Huxley uses a dystopian future as a means of critiquing the society he saw around him and the direction he thought it was going in. Written in a very accessible fashion, this book really is a read that anyone can enjoy.
If you enjoy sci-fi novels or anything related to dystopian societies, you’ll surely get a kick out of this one. If you haven’t yet, use this book as a test run for underlining favorite passages and writing your thoughts in the margins.
5. The Aeneid by Virgil
Regarded as one of the seminal masterpieces of Latin literature, Virgil’s The Aeneid is an epic poem that tells a fictional tale of the founding of Rome and the hero responsible for it. Largely inspired by Homer, this epic contains many passages that are very close to those found in The Odyssey.
Back in the day when students studied the classics, they often also learned Latin. For the vast majority of those students, Virgil’s masterpiece was required reading. As such, this book not only holds a significant place in the history of literature but also in the history of how literature has been taught in the Western world.
It must be said that some may consider this a difficult read. While the story is without a doubt a compelling one, it’s also written in a very particular style that must be read closely to really follow along with what’s happening. Despite this, it’s a rewarding piece of literature that will help you develop a deeper connection to the long lineage of the Western literary tradition.
6. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde By Robert Louis Stevenson
If you’re looking to start your literary journey with a shorter, more accessible read, then there’s no better place to start than with Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. If you’re like most, you probably already have a rough idea of what the story is about. Even if you do, it’s still an entertaining book to engage with.
With a distinctly British writing style, Stevenson is able to transport you to bygone London of cobblestone roads, horse-drawn carriages, and sly characters. If you’re interested in the history of Britain, this is a fun lens to look at a specific time and place through.
Though the book is short, it’s really immersive and enjoyable. If you’re dabbling in literary criticism and are looking for a book to test your skills, I highly recommend Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as a jumping-off point.
