A Critical Review of Humankind
Rutger Bregman’s book Humankind is one of the books that questions negative ideas about human nature and makes readers think. For many years, many people believed that humans are naturally selfish, bad, and only care about themselves. However, Bregman does not agree with this idea. According to him, human nature is not as dark as people think. Instead, people are more willing to help each other, understand others’ feelings, and do good things. In the book, the author supports these ideas with many examples from wars, psychology experiments, history, and biology. One of the best parts of the book is that it gives hope about humanity. Still, when I finished the book, I did not only feel admiration. On one side, I was happy to read it because it made me think differently. On the other side, some of the author’s ideas felt too optimistic to me. Because of this, the book was both interesting and questionable for me.
One of the strongest parts of the book is that it makes people question ideas about human nature that many accept without thinking. Today, we often see violence, murder, wars, and fights on television, social media, and in the news. After some time, people start to believe that the world is full of bad people. At this point, Bregman asks an important question: If humans were really bad by nature, how could societies survive for so many years? A big part of human history was shaped by helping each other, working together, and surviving together. From this side, the writer’s ideas are important and meaningful.
His ideas against the belief that humans are naturally wild are especially interesting. Today, when someone behaves badly, people sometimes say, “Did you grow up in a cave?” However, Bregman says that hunter-gatherer societies were not as violent as many
I. INTRODUCTION: THE PURPOSE OF THE NOVEL
Tess of the d’Urbervilles is Thomas Hardy’s most powerful and controversial novel, written as a direct challenge to Victorian moral, religious, and sexual values. Through the life of Tess Durbeyfield, a poor rural woman, Hardy exposes the cruelty of a society that equates female worth with sexual “purity,” excuses male transgression, and disguises injustice as moral order.
Hardy does not present Tess as a fallen woman seeking redemption. Instead, he presents her as morally pure from beginning to end, and argues that the true corruption lies not in Tess, but in the social systems that destroy her.
II. DETAILED SUMMARY (WITH SPOILERS)
1. Origins and the Weight of Ancestry
Tess Durbeyfield is the eldest daughter of a poor rural family in Wessex. Her life changes when her father learns that they may be descended from the ancient aristocratic d’Urberville family. This discovery fills her parents with ambition and false hope, while Tess herself feels unease rather than pride.
When Tess accidentally causes the death of the family’s horse, Prince—their sole means of livelihood—she feels intense guilt and responsibility. This event, driven by chance rather than moral fault, sets the tragic pattern of her life: random misfortune followed by self-blame.
To help her family recover financially, Tess is sent to seek help from the wealthy d’Urbervilles—unaware that they are not true aristocrats, but merely have purchased the name.
2. Alec d’Urberville and Sexual Violation
At Trantridge, Tess meets Alec d’Urberville, a manipulative and predatory man who immediately fixates on her. Despite Tess’s repeated resistance and discomfort, Alec pursues her relentlessly.
The pivotal event of the novel occurs when Alec sexually violates Tess in
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😱 Gerilim
Jane EyreRoman-Edebiyat
Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is a powerful female narrative that symbolizes individual resistance against the strict moral and social structure of the Victorian Era. The novel is especially significant in terms of feminist and sociocultural readings. Despite all the hardships she endures, Jane remains true to her own sense of morality and selfhood. Her refusal to submit to Mr. Rochester without an equal relationship, despite her deep love for him, can be read as a proto-feminist representation of female individuality.
The story is told in the first person from Jane’s perspective, which allows the reader direct access to her inner world and personal struggles. The gothic atmosphere (Thornfield Hall, the screams from the attic, Bertha Mason) continues the classic tradition of English gothic fiction, while the emphasis on nature and personal emotion reflects the influence of Romanticism.
Themes such as class distinction, the hypocrisy of religious institutions, and moral decay are carefully explored. Jane’s journey from the lowest social class to gaining respect through her intelligence and integrity serves as a pointed critique of the class structure of the time.
The character of Bertha Mason, in particular, is controversial from a postcolonial perspective; her portrayal as the “other” reflects traces of colonialism in English literature. Jane Eyre, with its multilayered narrative, feminist subtext, and its critiques of class and colonialism, provides not only literary but also cultural, historical, and theoretical grounds for analysis.
To summarize, the suffering Jane endures is followed by her resistance, and not mentioning the fluidity of the novel—where we feel as if we're inside the story—would be unfair. The rich descriptions, which I believe reflect traces of
Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is more than a childhood adventure tale — it’s a sharp, humorous, and nostalgic portrayal of growing up in 19th-century America. Through Tom’s wild imagination, mischief, and moral missteps, Twain captures both the innocence and rebellion of youth.
The novel explores themes of freedom, friendship, social expectation, and conscience, all wrapped in a fast-moving story filled with fence-painting schemes, cave explorations, and pirate dreams. While the tone is light, Twain cleverly critiques education, religion, and class through the eyes of a restless boy who refuses to be tamed.
Tom may not always be likable, but he’s unforgettable — a symbol of the reckless energy and contradictions of childhood.
Timeless, witty, and deeply American — Tom Sawyer remains a classic for a reason.
Ali and Nino
“Ali and Nino” is not just a love story for me; it is a deep and emotional portrayal of the clash between East and West, and the struggle for freedom and identity. As I read the book, I could feel the spirit of Baku at that time, almost living through the emotions of the characters myself.
The contrast between Ali’s Eastern roots and Nino’s European mindset, and how these differences affect their love, beautifully reflects the complexity of human relationships. Ali’s loyalty to his homeland, family, and love, along with his inner struggles, made me reflect deeply.
The language of the novel is fluent and poetic. I was especially touched by Ali’s profound love for Baku and his readiness to sacrifice everything for it. Ali fights for Azerbaijan’s freedom until the last drop of his blood, stirring strong feelings of patriotism in the reader. “Ali and Nino” vividly brings to life a nation’s unforgettable struggle for independence.
Victoria by Knut Hamsun is a romantic but tragic novel about love, class differences, and missed opportunities. Our main characters are Johannes and Victoria, who love each other deeply but are kept apart by society and fate, I mean because of their class differences.
The book is emotional with nice descriptions of nature. However, the characters struggle to express their love openly, leading to misunderstandings and heartbreak.
Some parts made me feel frustrating because they don’t just say what they feel and talk about in a different way which made me feel bored sometimes
