FeaturingNMH Religious Studies teacher,
VAUGHN ALLEN
Vaughn writes:
These are my 5 favorite books:
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
I like how Dostoevsky examines Raskolnikov's
internal struggle — and that his punishment is more that he knows he has
committed a horrific crime (and how this weighs on his conscience) than his
being sentenced by the law. I believe that there is much to learn from this
example.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
My high school English teacher, Dr.DiGenero,
proclaimed that The Great Gatsby was "the perfect novel" and taught
it to our class with such passion that I couldn't help but enjoy the story and
the rich symbolism contained within. As a result, it has always been a favorite
of mine because it reminds me of this wonderful teacher and his love for
literature.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
How can you not enjoy a brilliantly
written book which discusses sexuality and teenage angst? What I like most
about Holden Caulfield's story is that it is in many ways everyone's story, in
that we all struggle as we grow up. Salinger, I believe, depicts Holden's
journey beautifully.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Golding, I believe, depicts extremely
well in this novel, the "savage" instinct inherent in us all. What I
like so much about this book is the way that the boy's
"transformation" from civilized to savage is depicted so
realistically. I found this to be a horrifying, yet wonderful story.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
I first read
this book in 6th grade and was amazed then, as I am still now, at how Orwell so
brilliantly depicts society, the use and abuse of power, and man's inherently
corrupting nature. There is much to learn from the "animals" in
Orwell's masterful allegory.
