Books in Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations series

George Orwell s novel about the perils of totalitarian rule, the story of Winston and Julia, remains poignant more than 50 years after its 1949 publication. Nineteen Eighty-Four paints the bleak picture of a society in which all information is controlled by the government, also known as Big Brother. Here is a ready-reference tool for students interested in this dystopian classic, especially those with an eye toward research. Offering 50 percent new material over the previous edition, 1984, Updated Edition includes the most relevant critical interpretations available.

Perhaps best recognized for the horror films it has spawned, Frankenstein, written by 19-year-old Mary Shelley, was first published in 1818. Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus, warns against irresponsible science, technology, and parenting, and made readers reconsider who the world's monsters really are and how society contributes to creating them. 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. Completely updated and incorporating at least 50 percent new material, this convenient study guide—with chronology, contributor biographical information, and bibliography—is ideal for those working on thematic papers.

Self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby epitomizes the decadence of the 1920s Jazz Age in this tale of mobility and decline, told with detached curiosity by his neighbor and confidant Nick Carraway. This new edition offers a selection of contemporary critical commentary on this classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Also in this volume is an introductory essay by Yale literature professor Harold Bloom, a bibliography, a chronology of Fitzgerald's life, and an index for quick reference.