Lit Crit Guides
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Jhumpa Lahiri
by Greg Clinton
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Jhumpa Lahiri understands what it means to be caught between two cultures. Born in London to Indian immigrants, she has spent most of her life in the United States but still struggles to feel "American." This is the challenge facing many new Indian Americans, and it is the focal point of Lahiri's novels and stories, which examine various aspects of the culture clashes that come from being a newcomer in a foreign land. This insightful guide takes readers through Lahiri's main works, giving in-depth analysis along with biographical and historical context, and providing insight into the compelling works of this critically acclaimed author.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Jack London
by Stephanie Buckwalter
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Jack London's stories of adventure in the early twentieth century captured the imagination of the American public. As he ventured around the United States and the globe, he documented his adventures through his writing. Through excerpts and critical analysis, readers will examine London's most famous works (The Call of the Wild, "To Build a Fire"), which are dramatic and compelling stories of man versus nature and versus himself. Other works explore the human condition, particularly the plight of the poor and working class. An examination of the autobiographical nature of many of London's stories gives the reader a unique insight into the interaction between a writer's world and his work.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of William Shakespeare
by Walt Mittelstaedt
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
The subject of William Shakespeare, considered by many to be the greatest writer in the English language, is often approached with trepidation by students encountering one of his plays for the first time. This text explains Shakespeare's works by putting them into the context of the Elizabethan times in which he lived. Characters, themes, and literary devices are defined and examined as students are exposed to close readings of the histories, tragedies, comedies, and verse. The text includes examples from every type of work as well as ample critical analysis that serves to illuminate the life and work of this peerless dramatist and poet.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of the Brontë Sisters
by Naomi Pasachoff
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
The literary output of the Brontë sisters was small, but their novels remain immensely popular more than 150 years after their deaths. Each sister wrote a novel that challenged the ideas of the day on what was fit to print: Charlotte's Jane Eyre by examining the interior life of a young girl; Emily's Wuthering Heights by overturning the conventions of the novel, even while making use of traditional literary forms; Anne's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by depicting a husband's alcoholism and debauchery. This guide, which roots the writers' work in their unusual upbringing and describes and challenges the so-called Brontë myth, aims to provide both first-time readers and long-time Brontë enthusiasts with a deeper understanding of their work and the reasons it continues to engross readers today.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Maya Angelou
by Audrey Borus
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. Maya Angelou's words in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings reveal her own need to tell stories, a lifelong passion that manifested itself in the form of memoirs and poetry as well as essays, film, and music. This in-depth guide utilizes the fascinating life story of Angelou, who was also an educator and activist, as a springboard for exploring the themes, motifs, and literary techniques that characterize her writing. Critical analysis, quotes, and excerpts from a variety of texts provide a compelling examination of Angelou's extensive body of work.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Arthur Miller
by Amy Dunkleberger
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Arthur Miller is described by some as the greatest American playwright of the twentieth century. To fully understand and appreciate his work, students must comprehend the political climate in which he was writing and the changes facing the world at the time. This engaging text provides readers with critical analysis of his themes, style, and language; direct quotations from Miller; and relevant biographical details. Students will learn about the world Arthur Miller was reflecting in his writing and why his works have become American classics.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of William Faulkner
by Debra McArthur
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Living in the southern United States during the civil rights movement, William Faulkner's work is fraught with depictions of life in the changing South. Through the interpretation of key details of his life, as well as direct quotations and analysis of his word choice and themes, readers will learn how to examine and comprehend Faulkner's writing for themselves.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Emily Dickinson
by Audrey Borus
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Emily Dickinson's words may be well known to students, but they may know very little of her quiet solitary life. This text positions her work within the political climate in which she lived, the culture and expectations for an educated young woman of the day, and discusses what it meant to be a poet during the American Civil War. Through critical analysis of her themes, language, and style and direct quotations from Dickinson's many correspondences, readers will learn how to think about and understand the works of Emily Dickinson.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Robert Frost
by Connie Ann Kirk, Ph. D.
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Although Frost's words may be well-known to most students, the life that inspired his work may not be. By discussing the time in which Frost lived; the events of his life; and an analysis of his themes, style, and language, this text introduces readers to the world of Robert Frost and shows them what made him an American poetry legend.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Cormac McCarthy
by Greg Clinton
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
The works of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy can be described as dark, mysterious, and violent. His unique writing style and Southern Gothic, post-apocalyptic brand of literature defy classification and make for a challenging and thought-provoking read. This text closely examines McCarthy's recurring styles, symbols, and themes through excerpts from his books as well as critical analysis. Students will learn how to read and interpret McCarthy's complex works while they come to a greater understanding of one of America's most powerful writers.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Tennessee Williams
by Spring Hermann
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
As a child growing up in the Deep South, Tom "Tennessee" Williams escaped from his tumultuous home life by retreating into his imagination. His love for made-up stories would eventually translate into a propensity for writing drama and poetry. This compelling text places the playwright's work in the context of his life and times, allowing readers to gain a greater understanding of the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner. Featuring quotes, excerpts, and in-depth critical analysis of his most famous plays as well as his lesser-known works, the text provides an in-depth look at this hard-working, prolific playwright considered by many to be among the greatest of his time.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of George Orwell
by Audrey Borus
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
As a young man, Eric Blair, better known as George Orwell, traveled to Spain to fight in that country's civil war. Although he was a British citizen, he felt the need to fight for the rights of the oppressed in that country. As the writer of the classics Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell used his pen to comment on power and corruption in government and how they affect society. This text takes an in-depth look at Orwell's novels and essays in the context of his own fascinating life and times. It analyzes his style, themes, and use of language, while also asking readers to consider how this prescient author and his works are still relevant in today's world.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of J.R.R. Tolkien
by Greg Clinton
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
The world of J.R.R. Tolkien is one that is inhabited by hobbits, dwarves, elves, wizards, and dragons. As a young man, Tolkien created his very own language, and from there he went on to imagine an entire magical world and its detailed history. Students will take an in-depth and thought-provoking look at The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, as well as The Simarillion, which provides the foundation for his classic works. The text includes an insightful analysis of the major themes and characters of the works that continue to fascinate new generations of readers.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Walt Whitman
by Alex Beene
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
For most students, the images stirred by the word "poet" are those of an introverted individual removed from the crowd and devoted more to his or her work than engaging in the company of others. Walt Whitman spent a lifetime avoiding these commonly held notions of what a writer should be. From founding his own newspaper to acting as a volunteer nurse during the Civil War, Whitman encountered years of progress and turmoil that dramatically influenced the author he would become. This detailed guide serves as a compass through the magnificent journey Whitman took as a man who wanted to present the profoundly essential relationship between poetry and society.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Toni Morrison
by Lisa A. Crayton
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Toni Morrison has received the Nobel Prize for Literature, the Pulitzer Prize, and many other awards. But in order to fully appreciate what this amazing author has accomplished, students must know where she came from, the era in which she grew up, and how these details influenced the major themes, style, and language of her writing. Through critical analysis, excerpts, and direct quotations from Morrison herself, this text will allow readers to gain a deeper understanding of her work.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Amy Tan
by Audrey Borus
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Amy Tan was born to Chinese immigrants who worked hard to fulfill their own version of the American Dream. After tragedy befell her family when she was a teenager, a tumultuous period followed in which Tan and her mother often clashed. This text reveals how biographical elements like these largely influenced the recurring themes in many of her novels. Tan's unique view on the Chinese-American experience and mother-daughter relationships, along with her use of setting, point of view, and a unique writing style are closely examined through excerpts from the books as well as critical analysis. Quotations from Tan herself help readers gain a better understanding and appreciation for this critically acclaimed author.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of T.S. Eliot
by Naomi Pasachoff
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Students often approach the complex poetry of T. S. Eliot with some degree of trepidation, but as this comprehensive text demonstrates, that need not be the case. With its thoughtful analysis and engaging writing style, this guide provides readers with the tools they need to approach Eliot's works with confidence, while at the same time encouraging them to draw their own meaning from the words and sounds of the poetry. The text also explores Eliot's life beyond his poems, including his extensive work as an essayist, editor, and critic. Given this context, readers will establish a deeper understanding of the poet as well as his work.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Ernest Hemingway
by Timothy J. Pingelton
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
No twentieth-century writer has achieved greater literary success than Ernest Hemingway. His early days in journalism resulted in his trademark lean prose and a compelling writing style that would influence generations of writers to come. A larger-than-life figure, the author pursued adventures that would provide the groundwork for compelling tales of wars, bullfights, and safaris. This insightful guide provides excerpts, quotes, and critical analysis of Hemingway's novels and short stories in the context of his fascinating and ultimately tragic personal life. Through an in-depth exploration of some of his greatest works, readers will gain a greater understanding of this literary giant.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Jane Austen
by Connie Ann Kirk, Ph. D.
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Jane Austen is one of the most beloved novelists of all time, yet despite her ever-growing popularity, there still remains a certain mystique about the woman herself. In this text, readers will get to know the novelist and her works in the context of Regency England society as well as the author's more intimate circle of family and friends. Students will come to a greater understanding of Austen's innovative writing style and universal themes through excerpts from the novels, critical analysis, and quotes from Austen herself. This text also explores the recent explosion of Austen-inspired books and films; evidence that Austen and her novels continue to transcend time and connect with the newest generation of readers.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Edgar Allan Poe
by Debra McArthur
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Edgar Allan Poe's poems and short stories may be familiar to students, but the life that inspired these tales may still remain a mystery. This text provides readers with an understanding of how Poe's writing was influenced by the time period in which he lived and the circumstances of his tragic life. Students will learn how to ponder, interpret, and comprehend Poe's work through critical analysis of his themes, word choice, and style and through direct quotations from Poe himself.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Harper Lee
by Elizabeth Schmermund
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
For most of her life, Harper Lee was (reluctantly) famous for her classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee's newest book, Go Set a Watchman, caused quite a media frenzy even before its publication. This text examines how Lee's Southern background (she was a descendant of General Robert E. Lee) and racial tensions in the Deep South during that time came together to influence the plot, characters, and themes of To Kill a Mockingbird. This volume also explores the history of Go Set a Watchman and the controversy surrounding it, comparing its themes and structure with Lee's beloved classic. Copious excerpts from the two works along with critical analysis help students interpret and understand the writings of this Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald
by Eva Weisbrod Geertz
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
F. Scott Fitzgerald's books may reflect the glitz and glamour of the 1920s, but was his life anything like that of his characters? Through direct quotations and intriguing biographical information, this text helps readers understand how the era in which Fitzgerald wrote influenced his writing. Excerpts from original works and critical analysis of his themes, style, and word choice allow readers to immerse themselves in his world.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Eugene O'Neill
by Spring Hermann
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Playwright Eugene O'Neill dominated American theater for the first half of the twentieth century, and inspired most of the important dramatists of its second half. This text tells the story of O'Neill's often troubled life, then ties it in with his work: complex, lengthy dramas unlike anything seen on Broadway before. The playwright's main themes, which he returned to throughout his career, are carefully detailed, as are the various styles he employed over the years. Critical analysis, excerpts from the work, and quotes from O'Neill enhance readers' understanding and appreciation for this prolific playwright.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Mark Twain
by Spring Hermann
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
'The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.' Observations like this make Mark Twain the most widely read and quoted American author. This guide utilizes quotes, excerpts, biographical information, and critical analysis in examining Twain's vast output of novels, personal memoirs, social criticisms, and essays, both serious and hilarious. It also demonstrates how Twain carefully stored his life experiences in his mind, then mined and refined them years later, to bring us the timeless lessons he had learned. In all his works, students will find the underlying fears, disappointments, hopes and dreams he held for America-and he always found the right words to tell us.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of Alice Walker
by Lisa A. Crayton
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
Growing up poor in a small town in Georgia, Alice Walker became aware of the effects of prejudice and segregation at a young age. She would later call on these early experiences when writing her most famous novel, The Color Purple. But the themes of Walker's prose and poetry extend far beyond race, including women's issues, religion, relationships, and culture. This text explores the many themes of her work, as well as her use of characterization, literary devices, and plot. Through biographical information, quotes from the author, excerpts from texts, and critical analysis, readers will obtain a strong appreciation for the life and works of this controversial and esteemed author.
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Reading and Interpreting the Works of John Steinbeck
by Gerald Newman
Part of the Lit Crit Guides series
To appreciate and understand John Steinbeck's stories, students must comprehend what it was like to live during the Great Depression, and they must understand the working man to whom Steinbeck was attempting to appeal. Through direct quotations; biographical details; and in-depth discussions of his style, themes, and form, this text will allow readers to ponder and interpret Steinbeck's works.
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