Handy Literature Answer Book (eBook)

An Engaging Guide to Unraveling Symbols, Signs and Meanings in Great Works

Daniel S. Burt, Deborah G. Felder (Autoren)

eBook Download: EPUB

2018
496 Seiten
Visible Ink Press (Verlag)
978-1-57859-678-2 (ISBN)

Infos

From the legends of Gilgamesh to the modern memoir, storytelling and reading are an integral part of our lives. Great literature can shape and form thoughts and opinions as well as influence politics and predict the future. Reading can truly enrich lives, but it is not necessarily easy to get the most out of a great work of literature.

The Handy Literature Answer Book: Understand and Enjoy Meanings, Symbolism, and Signs in Great Works is an engaging look at literature basics such as themes, symbols, context, and other literary devices. Various literary forms, including novels, poems, plays, short stories, and nonfiction, are analyzed. Hundreds of great works are used as illustrative examples. It deciphers and analyzes great works through in-depth answers to nearly 400 common questions, including How is reading literature different from other kinds of reading?” “How do you recognize the difference between story and plot in a short story?” and “What defines a novel?”

---

Get the most out of reading with this an engaging and fun guide to the deeper meanings in great works of literature!From the epic of Gilgamesh to Aristotle and Cicero, and from Shakespeare and the King James Bible to Wuthering Heights, War and Peace, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the Nobel-winning lyrics of Bob Dylan, the world of literature is an integral part of our lives. Great literature can shape and form thoughts and opinions as well as influence politics and predict the future. Reading can truly enrich our lives, but it can sometimes be daunting to get the most out of a great work of literature. The Handy Literature Answer Book: Understand and Enjoy Meanings, Symbolism, and Signs in Great Works is an engaging, easy-to-read look at literature basics such as themes, symbols, context, and other literary devices. Different literary forms, including novels, poems, plays, short stories, memoirs, and literary nonfiction are analyzed. Hundreds of important stories and great works are used as illustrative examples. Learn about the five basic questions for any work of literature, including "e;What is the significance of a title?"e; "e;What is conflict?"e; "e;What is character development?"e; "e;What is point of view?"e; "e;How does a setting affect a story?"e; "e;What are the different schools of literary criticism?"e; and many more. Bringing the most out of the reading experience, The Handy Literature Answer Book deciphers and analyzes stories, novels, and verses through insightful in-depth answers to nearly 400 common questions. You will also read about such fascinating tidbits as What are the key components of literature? How is reading literature different from other kinds of reading? Why is artful reading so hard? What do poems do? How should a poem be read for its comparisons-metaphors and similes? What, according to Poe, should be the method of the short story writer? How do you recognize the difference between story and plot in a short story? How can you recognize a symbol? What are the defining characteristics of the novel? How did the novel evolve from a popular literary entertainment to the modern novel? What is the difference between drama and theater? What is the best way to understand and appreciate Shakespearean drama? What approaches should you take in reading an essay? What are characteristics of a memoir?This handy primer from two highly regarded experts also includes a glossary of essential literary terms, a timeline, a helpful bibliography, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness. Making reading more enriching, rewarding, and enjoyable, The Handy Literature Answer Book is a wonderful, eye-opening read!

Autoren

Daniel S. Burt, Ph.D. received his doctorate degree in English and American Literature from New York University. He has more than 30 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in writing and literature at NYU, Wesleyan University, Trinity College, Northeastern, Wentworth Institute, and Cape Cod Community College. He served for almost a decade as a dean at Wesleyan University. Burt is the author of Understanding Literature, Next Thinking; Literary 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Novelists, Playwrights, and Poets of All Time; The Novel 100: A Ranking of the Greatest Novels of All Time; and The Chronology of American Literature.

Deborah G. Felder is a graduate of Bard College, where she studied Drama and Literature. She worked as an editor at Scholastic, Inc., and has been a freelance writer and editor for over 30 years. The author of 20 publications, including fiction and nonfiction books, and articles for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers, including 100 American Women Who Shaped American History and A Bookshelf of Our Own: Works That Changed Women’s Lives. She has also written book reviews for The New York Times Book Review, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly.

Inhalt

Acknowledgments
Introduction
World Literature Timeline

1. What is Literature and How to Read It
2. Why Read Literature & How NOT to Read It
3. Poetry
4. Short Stories
5. The Novel
6. Drama
7. Literary Nonfiction
8. Critical Approaches to Literature

Appendix 1—Glossary of Essential Literary Terms
Appendix 2—Listing of Selected Essential Poems, Stories, Novels, and Dramas
Bibliography
Index

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 1.7.2018
• Reihe/Serie: The Handy Answer Book Series
• Zusatzinfo: photos and illustrations
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Freizeit / Hobby ► Sammeln / Sammlerkataloge
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Sprach- / Literaturwissenschaft ► Anglistik / Amerikanistik
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Sprach- / Literaturwissenschaft ► Literaturwissenschaft
• Schlagworte: 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die • 1000 Books to Read Before You Die • analyzing and interpreting literature • book group • books for professors • how to interpret literature • how to read a book • how to read like a writer • How to Read Literature • how to read literature like a professor • how to study literature • literary devices • Literary Motif • literary studies book • literary themes • most important books to read • must read books • Narrative devices • Novel • Reading • reading literature guide • study literature book • Symbols
• ISBN-10: 1-57859-678-5 / 1578596785
• ISBN-13: 978-1-57859-678-2 / 9781578596782