Handy Literature Answer Book

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, but getting the most out of a great work can sometimes be daunting.

Making reading more enriching, rewarding, and enjoyable, The Handy Literature Answer Book: Understand and Enjoy Meanings, Symbolism, and Signs in Great Works deciphers and analyzes stories, novels, and verses by providing insightful, in-depth answers to nearly 400 common questions. You will learn fascinating tidbits such 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?

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?

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 are characteristics of a memoir?

An engaging, easy-to-read look at literature, this handy primer from two highly regarded experts covers basics such as themes, symbols, context, and other literary devices. Different literary forms are analyzed. Hundreds of important stories and great works are used as illustrative examples. Boosting your reading experience, The Handy Literature Answer Book is a wonderful, eye-opening read!