58 pages • 1 hour read
William GodwinCaleb Williams
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1794A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read 
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Summary
Volume 1, Chapters 1-2
Volume 1, Chapters 3-4
Volume 1, Chapters 5-6
Volume 1, Chapters 7-8
Volume 1, Chapters 9-10
Volume 1, Chapters 11-12
Volume 2, Chapters 1-2
Volume 2, Chapters 3-4
Volume 2, Chapters 5-6
Volume 2, Chapters 7-8
Volume 2, Chapters 9-10
Volume 2, Chapters 11-12
Volume 2, Chapters 13-14
Volume 3, Chapters 1-2
Volume 3, Chapters 3-4
Volume 3, Chapters 5-6
Volume 3, Chapters 7-8
Volume 3, Chapters 9-10
Volume 3, Chapters 11-12
Volume 3, Chapters 13-15
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
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Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Caleb Williams by William Godwin follows the story of Caleb Williams, a curious young man who, after becoming the literary assistant to the enigmatic and aristocratic Ferdinando Falkland, stumbles upon a dark secret involving a past crime. Caleb's relentless pursuit of the truth leads him into a dangerous conflict with his master, resulting in false accusations, imprisonment, and life as a fugitive, ultimately revealing the harsh inequities and corruptions within the British social and legal systems of the time. The book contains depictions of sexual assault, wrongful imprisonment, and mental illness.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
William Godwin's Caleb Williams is praised for its exploration of social justice, class disparity, and the corrupting influence of power. Critics laud Godwin's compelling narrative and character development. Some find the prose dense and the pacing uneven, but its themes resonate with readers. Overall, it is a profound, though occasionally challenging, read.
Who Should Read Caleb Williams?
A reader who enjoys philosophical exploration, a probing of social justice, and psychological thrillers will appreciate William Godwin's Caleb Williams. Fans of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, with their profound moral questions and intense character studies, will find this novel compelling.