Lit crit guides

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...

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,...

"Big Brother is watching you." Orwell's words may be well known to readers, but to fully understand his work, readers must also understand his life and world. This unique book combines biography with literary analysis and criticism, guiding readers to understand how to read and interpret the classic works of English writer George Orwell.

"Describes the life and works of author John Steinbeck"--

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...