J.R.R. Tolkien drew on his professorial expertise in Anglo-Saxon literature and the early mythology and folklore of Great Britain in creating this popular classic centering on the perils of Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo became one of the author's most enduring and vividly realized creations in this precursor to the legendary The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Yale literary scholar Harold Bloom introduces this compilation of concise critical excerpts, which also includes an annotated bibliography and an index for easy reference.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a novel she composed at the age of 19, is a widely read and studied work to this day, noted for the deft way its young author combined Romantic sensibility with a meditation on the ethical considerations to which advancements in science and technology give rise. Bloom's How to Write about Mary Shelley includes guidance on ways students can write effective essays about this noted author. An introduction from noted scholar Harold Bloom, bibliographies, and an index are also featured.
John Steinbeck won a Pulitzer Prize in 1940 for 'The Grapes of Wrath'. In 1962, Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic as well as imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and a keen social perception." Bloom's How to Write about John Steinbeck offers valuable paper-topic suggestions, clearly outlined strategies on how to write a strong essay, and an insightful introduction by Harold Bloom on writing about Steinbeck. This new volume is designed to help students develop their analytical writing skills and critical comprehension of this legendary author and his works.
The Scarlet Letter (Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations)
An allegorical tale of passion, adultery, guilt, and social repression, Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" introduces readers to Hester Prynne, America's first fictional heroine. Hawthorne's story is a masterpiece of American fiction, and this updated volume from the "Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations" series explores how the author powerfully conveys its theme of the puritanical influence on societal attitudes.
Despite having no prior war experience to draw on, Stephen Crane's "The Red Badge of Courage" is a gripping tale of the American Civil War as seen through the eyes of its young protagonist soldier, Henry Fleming. To this day, Crane's novel remains a stylistic achievement as well as a penetrating look into the heart and mind of a soldier. The thorough summary and descriptive biographical background showcased in this title provide generous critical insight into the work and its author.
