Calling Jane Austen's "Emma" charming, Harold Bloom states, 'Austen is not writing a tragedy of the will...but a great comedy of the will.' He goes on to say that Austin's heroines have firmly defined selves, each molded with an individuality that suggest the author's potential for creating endless diversity in her enduring works. This new edition offers a selection of contemporary critical commentary on this classic novel, along with a bibliography, a chronology of Austen's life, and an index for quick reference.

Attributed to Homer, "The Iliad", along with "The Odyssey", is among the oldest literary documents in the Greek language. This epic war story depicts seven key weeks during the battle for Ilium, or Troy, culminating in the decisive battle between Achilles and Hector. More importantly, "The Iliad" attempts to define the qualities of the heroic character. Here, in a single volume, students will find some of the leading critical analyses available on this ancient work.

Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" is not simply a critique of colonialism in the Congo; it is an examination of the human tendency toward self-endangering corruptibility. This collection of critical essays suggests it has taken on the power of myth.

John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "The Grapes of Wrath", was published in 1939. Set during the Great Depression, the novel follows failed farmer Tom Joad and his family as they head from Oklahoma's Dust Bowl to the promised land of the West. "Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations" presents the reader with a collection of important critical essays that set the scene for an amplified study of this American classic. This fully updated resource also contains supplementary introductions...

Premiering in 1944 and winner of the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, "The Glass Menagerie" was Tennessee Williams' first popular success. The play introduced Williams' notion of plastic, or sculptural, drama as he incorporated both sound and lighting into his stage directions in an attempt to heighten the audience's emotional experience. This updated "Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations Guide" is an essential resource for those seeking to deepen their appreciation of this riveting character study.