In this Collection, we've gathered together a selection of fictional and real-life narratives that share the theme of Challenging Authority. These selections feature protagonists and real-world figures who stand up to both powerful individuals and oppressive systems in an array of cultural and historical settings.
Publication year 2007
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Identity: Femininity, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Politics & Government
Tags Historical Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, British Literature, History: World, Fantasy, Romance
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Historical Fiction, American Civil War, Race / Racism, Social Justice, Relationships, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Military / War, History: World
Publication year 1974
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Food, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Survival Fiction
Z for Zachariah (1974) by Robert C. O’Brien is a young adult dystopian novel. It tells the story of Ann Burden, who survives a nuclear war that destroys the world thanks to a natural phenomenon that keeps her valley safe from radiation. After over a year alone, she awakes one morning to a column of smoke, and John Loomis—a scientist who has traveled for weeks in a protective suit—arrives and disrupts her life of solitude... Read Z For Zachariah Summary
Publication year 1806
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Gothic Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction
Publication year 2009
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Environment, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure, Humor, Animals, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction
Publication year 2005
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Race, Society: Class, Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Latin American Literature, Class, History: World, Magical Realism, Romance, Classic Fiction
Zorro, first published in 2005, is a historical fiction novel by the Chilean writer Isabel Allende. Taking the form of a biography or bildungsroman, Zorro is the first work to chronicle the origins of Zorro, a fictional character created by American pulp writer Johnston McCulley in 1919.Set against the backdrop of Spanish colonialism at the turn of the 19th century, the novel details the events that led the protagonist, Diego de la Vega, to become... Read Zorro Summary