Books in MAXnotes Literature Guides series

REA's MAXnotes for Kate Chopin's The Awakening MAXnotes offer a fresh look at masterpieces of literature, presented in a lively and interesting fashion. Written by literary experts who currently teach the subject, MAXnotes will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the work. MAXnotes are designed to stimulate independent thought about the literary work by raising various issues and thought-provoking ideas and questions. MAXnotes cover the essentials of what one should know about each work, including an overall summary, character lists, an explanation and discussion of the plot, the work's historical context, illustrations to convey the mood of the work, and a biography of the author. Each chapter is individually summarized and analyzed, and has study questions and answers.

REA's MAXnotes for William Shakespeare's Antony and CleopatraThe MAXnotes offers a comprehensive summary and analysis of Antony and Cleopatra and a biography of William Shakespeare. Places the events of the play in historical context and discusses each act in detail. Includes study questions and answers along with topics for papers and sample outlines.

REA's MAXnotes for Margaret Atwood's The Edible Woman MAXnotes offer a fresh look at masterpieces of literature, presented in a lively and interesting fashion. Written by literary experts who currently teach the subject, MAXnotes will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the work. MAXnotes are designed to stimulate independent thought about the literary work by raising various issues and thought-provoking ideas and questions. MAXnotes cover the essentials of what one should know about each work, including an overall summary, character lists, an explanation and discussion of the plot, the work's historical context, illustrations to convey the mood of the work, and a biography of the author. Each chapter is individually summarized and analyzed, and has study questions and answers.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background.CliffsNotes on The Bluest Eye & Sula covers two of Toni Morrison’s unforgettable novels. The Bluest Eye, Morrison’s first novel, focuses on Pecola Breedlove, a lonely, young black girl living in Ohio in the late 1940s. Through Pecola, Morrison exposes the power and cruelty of white, middle-class American definitions of beauty.Sula, Morrison’s second novel, focuses on a young black girl named Sula, who matures into a strong and determined woman in the face of adversity and the distrust, even hatred, of her by the black community in which she lives. Morrison delves into the strong female relationships and how these bonds nurture and threaten individual identity.This study guide will take you beneath the surface of Morrison’s complex characters to uncover their universal themes. Helpful background information about the author brings these novels into context for even greater understanding. Other features that help you study includeComplete character listsA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCharacter analyses of major playersGlossary of difficult terms Critical essaysReview questions and essay topicsClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in the series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.Betrayal and manipulation lie at the heart of Othello. Keep up with all the crosses and double-crosses of this tragic play with the CliffsNotes version of the play, which will help you form your own opinions about Iago's schemes, Othello's motives, and Desdemona's loyalty.Other features that help you study include Background information about the life and times of William Shakespeare to help you understand his influencesA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersGlossaries to help you comprehend Shakespeare’s languageCritical essays on the character pairs and major themes of the playA review section that tests your knowledgeClassic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

REA's MAXnotes for Joseph Conrad's Heart of DarknessMAXnotes offer a fresh look at masterpieces of literature, presented in a lively and interesting fashion. Written by literary experts who currently teach the subject, MAXnotes will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the work. MAXnotes are designed to stimulate independent thought about the literary work by raising various issues and thought-provoking ideas and questions.MAXnotes cover the essentials of what one should know about each work, including an overall summary, character lists, an explanation and discussion of the plot, the work's historical context, illustrations to convey the mood of the work, and a biography of the author. Each chapter is individually summarized and analyzed, and has study questions and answers.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.A Raisin in the Sun debuted in the spring of 1959 and has since been translated into more than 30 languages. It is the story of a poor black family struggling to become part of the middle class. Family hardships test the faith of all involved and the result is unexpected and filled with heartbreak.CliffsNotes on A Raisin in the Sun helps you explore this play by providing you with summaries and commentaries, chapter by chapter. You’ll also gain insight into the author Lorraine Vivian Hansberry. Other features that help you study includeA list of characters and their descriptionsA genealogy chart to illustrate the relationships between the charactersGlossaries to help you fully understand the novelCritical essays on thematic structure, language and style, and moreSuggested essay topics and related research projects for more studyClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into key elements and ideas within classic works of literature.CliffsNotes on The Giver explores a world in which disease, hunger, poverty, war, and lasting pain simply don’t exist. The members of this utopia have given up all human emotions and memories to live in a state of Sameness.Following the story of a 12-year-old boy who recognizes the hypocrisy of his community’s “social order” – and who crafts a way to free everyone from the bane of Sameness, this study guide provides summaries and critical commentaries for each chapter within the novel. Other features that help you figure out this important work includePersonal background on the author, Lois LowryIntroduction to and synopsis of the bookCharacter descriptionsCritical essays on the author’s themes, style, language, and moreReview section that features interactive questions and suggested essay topicsSelected bibliography and list of critical worksClassic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background.In CliffsNotes on Moby-Dick, you follow along this great American novel; the turbulent and adventurous story of a sea captain's obsession with a white whale.This study guide shares a story about defiance, friendship, duty, and death — all immersed in symbolism, such as the white whale, itself. You'll gain comfort with the dark and complicated plot as you move through critical commentaries on each of the novel's 135 chapters. Other features that help you figure out this important work includeLife and background of the author, Herman MelvilleAnalyses of the charactersIntroduction to the novelA review section that tests your knowledge and suggests essay topicsA selected bibliography that leads you to more great resourcesClassic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.CliffsNotes on Inherit the Wind is an illuminating guide to the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee play about the evolution-versus-creationism debate. Chapter summaries and expert analysis provide insight into the central conflict between fundamentalist Matthew Harrison Brady and gifted orator Henry Drummond. The townspeople in this play also dramatize what freedom of thought—as well as "the right to be wrong"—truly mean. Other features that help you study includeCharacter analyses of major playersA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCritical essays on the play's themes, conflicts, and moreA review section that tests your knowledgeBackground information on the playwrights and their partnershipClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

REA's MAXnotes for William Shakespeare's Much Ado About NothingThe MAXnotes offers a comprehensive summary and analysis of Much Ado About Nothing and a biography of William Shakespeare. Places the events of the play in historical context and discusses each act in detail. Includes study questions and answers along with topics for papers and sample outlines.