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.
Perhaps best recognized for the horror films it has spawned, "Frankenstein", written by 19-year-old Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, was first published in 1818. "Frankenstein: Or The Modern Prometheus" warns against the "advancements" of modern man and the industrial revolution. Whether for research or general interest, "Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations" furnishes students with a collection of the most insightful critical essays available on this Gothic thriller, selected from a variety of literary sources.
An inquiry into the meaning of the American Dream, "Death of a Salesman" is Arthur Miller's most famous play and won him a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. 'Attention must be paid' to its lead character, Willy Loman (played over time by Lee J. Cobb, George C. Scott, Dustin Hoffman, and Brian Dennehy, among others), who has come to represent the middle-class struggle. Readers seeking in-depth analysis of this affecting drama will appreciate this fully updated "Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations" study.
"The Crucible" still has permanence and relevance a half century after its initial publication. This powerful political drama set amidst the Salem witch trials is commonly understood as Arthur Miller's poignant response to McCarthyism. Filled with fresh essays about the play, the new edition of this invaluable literary guide features a bibliography and notes on the essay contributors.
A psychological novel in the great Russian tradition, Crime and Punishment asks the question: What is the nature of punishment for a person who commits a crime without remorse?
