FARMINGTON — The Shiretown Bookers, the Community Friends of Mantor Library, in affiliation with the University of Maine at Farmington, announces their upcoming exhibition, “Robin, Zorro, and Horton: Political Resistance in Literature.”

It will run from Oct. 1 through Dec. 16 in the Bookers’ display area of Mantor Library, 116 South St. The opening reception is from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1.

Robin Hood, the heroic outlaw of English folklore, who “robbed from the rich and gave to the poor,” has been a paradigm for the hero of political resistance for more than 600 years. Ever since these early stories, the resisting hero in literature has almost invariably followed his model, supporting the underdog against those in corrupt or thoughtless power.

Thes exhibition will consist of books that show how our culture portrays political resistance, especially for children and young people, as a dramatic struggle on behalf of the weak and helpless. The story is much the same whether the hero represents Robin Hood (The Mark of Zorro, V for Vendetta), Jesus (Mr. Roberts, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Everyman (Les Misérables, For Whom the Bell Tolls), Everywoman (Lysistrata, The Hunger Games), or Everychild (Horton Hears a Who!, Huckleberry Finn). The hero’s role is not to acquiesce to the wealthy and powerful, but to assist the poor, the outcast and the oppressed.

The Shiretown Bookers is a group of book lovers and collectors who support the relationship of the university library with the community. The group produces exhibitions and lectures on books and collecting throughout the year.

FMI: shiretownbookers@gmail.com.

“Robinhood,” by Howard Pyle, 1883.