Critical Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the greatest of the Transcendentalists, is often considered to be the central thinker in American history. In essays such as "Self-Reliance" and poems such as "Concord Hymn," he gave voice to ideals that Americans have held dear ever since.

Critical Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson is a reliable and up-to-date resource for students interested in this prolific author. This illustrated volume examines Emerson's life and 140 of his most important works, including all of his major essays and 60 of his poems.

Agatha Christie: An Autobiography

A new-look printing of Agatha Christie's 'most absorbing mystery' to mark the 25th anniversary of her death. Agatha Christie died on 12 January 1976, having become the best-selling novelist in history. Her autobiography, published in 1977 a year after her death, tells of her fascinating private life, from early childhood through two marriages and two World Wars, and her experiences both as a writer and on archaeological expeditions with her second husband, Max Mallowan. Not only does the book reveal the true genius of her legendary success...

Exploring the dialogue between psychoanalytic and literary discourses, the authors examine the models of plot, character, and ways of reading which each of these discourses has developed in interpreting Shakespeare. Since Freud's writings on Oedipus and Hamlet, Shakespearean tragedy has been paradigmatic for psychoanalytic theory and criticism. The authors trace the dialogue between psychoanalytic and literary discourses by examining the models of plot, character, and ways of reading which each tradition has developed through its interpretation of Shakespeare.

In a single, eye-opening volume, Mark Twain, Updated Edition presents complex critical analyses of this author’s work. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Twain, a novelist, humorist, journalist, and orator, is renowned for his wit, wisdom, and keen social commentary. He is not only one of the most quoted and widely read American authors, but his life and work continue to generate biographical and critical interest today. Bringing together a selection of the best criticism available, Harold Bloom breaks down the intricacies of Twain’s work and analyzes the ideas presented in clear, accessible language.

This volume is designed to present biographical, critical, and bibliographical information on Mark Twain’s best-known or most important short stories. Following Harold Bloom’s editor’s note and introduction is a detailed biography of Mark Twain, discussing major life events and important literary accomplishments. A plot summary of each short story follows, tracing significant themes, patterns, and motifs in the work, and an annotated list of characters supplies brief information on the main characters in each story.