The Handy Literature Answer Book

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 “What is the significance of a title?” “What is conflict?” “What is character development?” “What is point of view?” “How does a setting affect a story?” “What are the different schools of literary criticism?” 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 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!

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?”

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 “What is the significance of a title?” “What is conflict?” “What is character development?” “What is point of view?” “How does a setting affect a story?” “What are the different schools of literary criticism?” 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 …

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