Books in Cliffsnotes Literature Guides series

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background.CliffsNotes on As I Lay Dying takes you into the lives of not one, but several narrators in this novel about the value of life. The central problem of the novel involves the reasons for Addie’s request to be buried and why her family defies fire and water to fulfill it.This study guide will guide you through the plot of the novel and through the process of analyzing each character’s problems and motivations. Other features that help you study includeInformation on the life and background of William FaulknerA character list to help clarify relationships among the many narratorsAnalysis and commentary on each section of the bookCritical essaysIn-depth character analysesReview questions and suggested essay topicsClassic literature or modern 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.In CliffsNotes on Twelfth Night, you follow several separate groups of characters whose stories are flawlessly woven together to produce one of Shakespeare's lightest, most popular, and most musical comedies—full of intricate plots and subplots and witty banter that only Shakespeare could write.Summaries and commentaries take you through Shakespeare's masterpiece, and character analyses of such memorable characters as Viola, Olivia, and Duke Orsino clue you in on their motivations. You also get these additional features:A section on the life and background of William ShakespeareA review section that tests your knowledgeA selected bibliographyClassic 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 The Color Purple, you follow the beautiful and difficult story of a shy and abused Southern black woman's struggle to create an identity, a feeling of self-worth, and love. Covering a series of personal letters that span a 40-year period, this study guide shares a story about growth, endurance, loyalty, solidarity, and joy -- all nurtured by the strength of love. You'll gain comfort with the black folk language main character Celie's uses to express herself as you move through critical commentaries on each of the novel's 89 letters. Other features that help you figure out this important work includeLife and background of the author, Alice WalkerAnalyses of a large cast of 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 a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.CliffsNotes on The Importance of Being Earnest offers a concise look at this Victorian farce, which tweaks the complacency and aristocratic attitudes prevalent among the wealthy upper class of the time. Hidden identities, fierce repartee, underlying passions, and surprises punctuate this lively play.This study guide shows, through its expert commentaries, just how three sets of lovers clear up mishap and misunderstandings and end up happily ever after. Other features that help you figure out this survey of Victorian social issues includeA close look at the author's life, which itself was rife with scandal and ruinSummaries and commentaries, act by actDescriptive character analysesA character map that reveal key relationshipsCritical essays on Victorian views on compassion, religion, marriage, and moreA review section that tests your knowledge, and suggested 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.CliffsNotes on Catch-22 takes you into this unforgettable novel that is full of satire, exaggeration, grotesque and comic caricatures, and telling allusions. Heller’s main characters are two Jewish boys from Brooklyn at the end of World War II – one from an orthodox family, one from a secular background. The growing friendship between the boys reflects the tensions within American society.With this study guide, you’ll be able to follow the unique structure of the novel and supplement your reading with insights into the life and background of author Joseph Heller. Other features that help you study includeLife and background of the authorCharacter analyses of major playersA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCritical essaysReview questionsClassic literature or modern 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 Good Earth explores author Pearl S. Buck’s insight into the lives of the Chinese people, particularly the peasant population.Following the story of a Chinese farmer who represents the universal cultivator – one who knows that his riches and security come from the good earth itself, 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 authorIntroduction to and synopsis of the bookIn-depth character analyses for the two principal figures, Wang Lung and wife O-LanCritical essays on the Chinese practices of foot binding and concubinageReview section that features interactive questions and suggested 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 this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.Based on medieval Arthurian legends, CliffsNotes on The Once and Future King is a twentieth-century version of young Arthur's quest for the sword Excalibur and his claim to the throne of England. Including many well-known and much-loved episodes with Merlyn, the sorcerer; Morgan La Fay, the witch; and knights jousting and hounds engaged in the hunt, White's novel adds to the lore surrounding the person of King Arthur.This study guide covers all four volumes of The Once and Future King with special emphasis given to the most popular volume, The Sword in the Stone. Other features that help you study includeCharacter analyses of major playersPersonal background of the author, T.H. WhiteA critical essay on Arthurian filmsA review section that tests your knowledgeA Resource Center full of books, articles, and websitesClassic 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.In CliffsNotes on The Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer, you come to understand how each of these stories deals with the "dark side" of the human character. Heart of Darkness is a journey up the Congo River to where an ivory agent, Kurtz, has succumbed to human weakness and evil, and has disintegrated into a grotesque creature. The Secret Sharer is an allegorical examination of a timid man who struggles to stifle the more physical and dangerous part of himself. Eventually, he resolves this duality and becomes more daring—and, therefore, more complete.This concise supplement to Joseph Conrad's The Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer helps you understand the overall structure of the novels, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author. Features that help you study include Part-by-part summaries and commentariesCharacter maps that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCritical essays that provide expert insight on the novels' structureReview sections that test your knowledgeClassic 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.In CliffsNotes on Oliver Twist, you’ll meet a dear, grateful, gentle orphan who, “instead of possessing too little feeling, possessed rather too much.” The CliffsNotes commentaries, summaries, and character analysis will show you why this sweet, sad, and moving story is considered to be one of Dickens' greatest works (and one of his more politically-charged ones). You’ll also find Life and background of the author, Charles DickensA short introduction to the novelA list of charactersEssays about symbolism, style, setting, and moreA review section that tests your knowledgeClassic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.