Classic Literature: Most Popular Articles

The Catcher in the Rye Quiz
Test your knowledge of "The Catcher in the Rye."

Lord of the Flies Quotes
The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, was first published in 1954. This tale of schoolboys stranded on a desert island is the best-known work by Golding. The novel is now sometimes compared to The Cacher in the Rye as one of the popular books for high school and college students. Here are a few quotes from the novel.

Romeo and Juliet Quotes
Romeo and Juliet is a play about star-crossed lovers. The play is one of the most famous works by William Shakespeare. Lovers (Romeo and Juliet) are caught between two worlds, as their families feud to the death. Fights, witty lines, secret marriages, and untimely deaths--the play is unforgettable! Here are a few lines from Romeo and Juliet.

The Great Gatsby Quotes
The Great Gatsby is one of the greatest American classics. The novel was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and it represents the Jazz Age. This work was first published in 1925. The Great Gatsby relates the story of Jay Gatsby--as told by Nick Carraway. Here are a few quotes from The Great Gatsby.

1984 Quiz
Test your knowledge of "1984."

To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee. The book depicts the experiences of a young girl, Scout, and her family in a Southern town. To Kill a Mockingbird deals with aspects of racism, and involves other aspects of violence and alienation. Here are a few quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.

Brave New World Quotes
Brave New World is a novel by Aldous Huxley. This famous (and controversial) work deals with issues of technological advancements, sexuality, and individuality--in a dehumanizing society. Here are a few quotes from the novel.

Mother's Day - - Quotes
What do the writers have to say about Mother's Day? From Edgar Allan Poe to Washington Irving, read what famous writers have written about their mothers.

The Story of an Hour Quiz
Test your knowledge of "A Story of An Hour."

Of Mice and Men Quotes
Of Mice and Men is a novel by John Steinbeck. This tragedy was first published in 1937. The story is told from the third-person omniscent point-of-view. Of Mice and Men follows the misadventures of Lennie and George, two ranch hands in California. Here are a few quotes from Of Mice and Men.

Mark Twain Quiz
Test your knowledge of Mark Twain.

Macbeth Quotes
Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare's great tragedies. There's murder, battles, supernatural portents, and all the other elements of a well-worked drama. Here are a few quotes from Macbeth.

1984 Quotes
George Orwell's 1984 is a famous dystopian novel. The novel revolves around the experience of Winston Smith. Big Brother is watching; and thoughtcrime is illegal. Here are a few quotes from 1984.

The Storm - Kate Chopin (1851-1904)
Read "The Storm," by Kate Chopin (1851-1904).

Death Be Not Proud - John Donne (1572-1631)
Read "Death Be Not Proud," by John Donne (1572-1631).

Death of a Salesman Quotes
Featuring Willy Loman, Death of a Salesman has been seen as an attack on the American dream. Death of a Salesman is one of the works for which Arthur Miller became most famous, bringing him international acclaim. Here are a few quotes from Death of a Salesman.

On the Road Quotes
On the Road is an autobiographical novel by Jack Kerouac, with a stream of consciousness style. The work is associated with the Beat Generation. Here are a few quotes from On the Road.

Abelard and Heloise
Abelard and Heloise are one of the most celebrated couples of all time, known for their love affair... and for the tragedy that separated them.

The Devil and Tom Walker - Washington Irving (1783-1859)
Read "The Devil and Tom Walker," by Washington Irving.

The Black Cat - Edgar Allan Poe
Read "The Black Cat," by Edgar Allan Poe.

Atticus Finch Quotes
Atticus is one of my favorite father figures in literary history. He's a strong character, but he's also willing to stand up for what he believes. He represents an important role model for Scout. Here are a few of the quotes from Atticus Finch, in To Kill a Mockingbird (by Harper Lee).

Pride and Prejudice Quiz
Test your knowledge about one of the greatest novels of that period. When was the book published? Who are the main characters? Who wrote the novel?

Jane Eyre Quiz
Test your knowledge of Restoration literature.

Adventures of Huckleberry
Mark Twain's novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), is the famous tale of Huckleberry Finn, who journeys down the Mississippi River with an escaped slave, Jim. The wit and wisdom of Mark Twain shines through in this novel. Here are a few famous quotations from the novel.

Treasure Island Quiz
Test your knowledge of "Treasure Island."

As I Lay Dying
Originally published in 1930, William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying gives the account of one family's mission to bury their mother in a distant city.

Crime and Punishment
What happens when a poor man has murderous thoughts? But, then, what happens when Raskolnikov feels guilty? Here are a few famous quotes from Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

21 - The Lady of the Fountain, Continued - Owain's Adventure - Age of Chivalry - Thomas Bulfinch
Read "Age of Chivalry," by Thomas Bulfinch.

The Catcher in the Rye Quotes
The Catcher in the Rye is the famous novel by J.D. Salinger. It is the work for which Salinger is best known. The work has been popular and controversial, and number of the quotes from this book have been cited as evidence of its inappropriate nature. The Catcher in the Rye is often studied in American literature. Here are a few quotes.

Literature
What is literature? Why do we read it? Why is literature important? Read more about literature.

The Canterbury Tales Quiz
How many tales are a part of "The Canterbury Tales"? Why were the pilgrims on a journey, and where were they going? Test your knowledge about "The Canterbury Tales."

All Quiet On The Western Front
All Quiet On The Western Front is a novel by Erich Maria Remarque. The book was published in 1929, and it was the author's way of coming to terms with the war. Parts of the book are autobiographical. All Quiet On The Western Front also has a history with censorship, as the book was banned in Germany. Here are a few quotes from All Quiet On The Western Front.

Romantic Period
Many scholars say that the Romantic period began with the publication of "Lyrical Ballads" by William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge in 1798. The volume contained some of the best-known works from these two poets including Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and Wordsworth's "Lines Written a Few Miles from Tintern Abbey."

Must Reads in Literature
This list is by no means all-inclusive, but it should give you an idea of a few great classics, which really are worth reading at least once. I've read and enjoyed these titles; and I welcome your suggestions for many more must reads. So, take a look. Read more about these must reads in literature, and then enjoy more works by these classic writers.

John Steinbeck Novels
John Steinbeck became known as an important American writer with his epic novel, The Grapes of Wrath (1939), for which he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1940. Other early works include Tortilla Flat (1935), In Dubious Battle (1936), Of Mice and Men (1937), and The Long Valley (1938). He was also known for a profusion of short stories, nonfiction works, and more.

Become a Critical Reader
Whether you are reading for pleasure or academia, it's important to understand basic structural and content elements about the text you are studying. These questions and idea generators should help you to become a more critical reader. Understand and retain what you read! Read on.

Fahrenheit 451 Quotes
Fahrenheit 451 is a novel by Ray Bradbury. The work is one of the most beloved works by Bradbury, but it's also controversial. Here are a few quotes.

Heart of Darkness Quotes
Heart of Darkness is a famous work by Joseph Conrad. The author's experiences in Africa gave him plenty of material for this work. Heart of Darkness is the tale of a man who gives into the enticements of power. Here are a few quotes from Heart of Darkness.

Hamlet Quotes
Hamlet is a famous tragedy by William Shakespeare. The play is filled with death and suicide, madness, incest, and the supernatural. Hamlet's father has been murdered, which inspires a whole series of events--bent on revenge and destined to bring destruction to all. Hamlet is one of the most popular plays of William Shakespeare. Here are a few quotes from the play.

Who Wrote It? -- Quiz
Test your knowledge about who wrote these bits of literature, with this quiz by Tamra Willett-Johnson.

Animal Farm Quotes
Animal Farm is a famous novel by George Orwell. In this novel, the animals all begin to follow the precepts of Animalism, rise up against the humans, take over the farm, and rename the place: Animal Farm. Here are a few quotes from this famous work!

The Catcher in the Rye
First published in 1951, The Catcher in the Rye details 48 hours in the life of Holden Caulfield. The novel is the only novel-length work by J.D. Salinger, and its history has been colorful. The Catcher in the Rye is famous as the most censored, banned and challenged book between 1966 and 1975 for being "obscene," with an "excess of vulgar language, sexual scenes, and things concerning moral issues."

Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice was first published on January 28, 1813. Jane Austen's novel was written during the Romantic period, and it was her second novel. Pride and Prejudice is regarded by many to be her most famous and best-loved work of fiction, with its focus on young ladies in search of husbands. Discover the words of Jane Austen's classic, Pride and Prejudice.

The Necklace - Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893)
The girl was one of those pretty and charming young creatures who sometimes are born, as if by a slip of fate, into a family of clerks.

Jane Austen Quiz
Why was Jane Austen so famous? What are some of her most well-known works? Which characters fall in love? And what happens? Test your knowledge about Jane Austen.

Classic Erotic Poems
Erotic poems discuss sexual love and desire, and they can be found down through literary history in cultures around the world. These collections include Egyptian love songs, Chinese classics from the Ming Dynasty, Indian love poems, and Goethe's erotic poems. Read more about these classic erotic poems.

The Prologue, Modern - Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400)
Read The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400). Ths work of British literature is one of the most famous pieces of the period.

Victorian Period
The Victorian Period revolves around the political career of Queen Victoria. She was crowned in 1837 and died in 1901 (which put a definite end to her political career). A great deal of change took place during this period — brought about because of the Industrial Revolution; so it's not surprising that the literature of the period is often concerned with social reform. Read on.

Banned Classics
Books are still being banned every day, but do you know which of the great classics have been banned? Books are controversial because of language, politics, sexuality, or religion. Some books seem to be challenged or banned because of multiple objections from different types of censors. Here's a list of ten...

Steinbeck: Novels 1942-1952
Steinbeck's focus is ever on the beauty and horror of human nature--what we do to each other for good or evil in the contexts of war and everyday experience. Read about this collection.

Classic Literature E-text Directory
Read works of literature in electronic format.

Science Fiction Classics Gallery of Books
Science Fiction allows us to imagine what could be--in science and technology. This genre of fiction pushes the boundaries of our imagination, helping us to question what is possible. But, it also helps us to come to terms with the moral issues of many of the controversial issues of our times: life and death, cloning, artificial and alien existence, individuality, alienation, bioengineering, and beyond. Explore space and the interior of the human body. Here's a gallery of books.

The Wife of Bath's Tale, Modern - Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400)
Read The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400). Ths work of British literature is one of the most famous pieces of the period.

The Knight's Tale, Modern - Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400)
Read The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400). Ths work of British literature is one of the most famous pieces of the period.

The Centre Cannot Hold... The words of William Butler Yeats
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold..." These and the other lines are part of a poem by William Butler Yeats. It's called "The Second Coming" and it was published in 1921. These lines have become some of the most memorable lines he ever wrote, of his poetry, drama, and prose...

The Sun Also Rises Quotes
The Sun Also Rises brought Ernest Hemingway fame and fortune. The novel also came to be representative of the lost generation of writers. Here are a few quotes from this famous book by Ernest Hemingway.

Antigone Quiz
Test your knowledge of Antigone.

The Awakening Quotes
Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening (1899), is the famous tale of Edna Pontellier, who leaves her family, commits adultery, and begins to rediscover her true self--as an artist. Here are a few famous quotations from the novel.

Things Fall Apart Quotes
Things Fall Apart is an important African novel by Chinua Achebe--one of the most greatest classics of its time. The book involves the class of cultures and belief systems, as colonization affects the people. Here are a few quotes from Things Fall Apart.

Huckleberry Finn - - Banned?
Has The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn been banned? And, why would Huckleberry Finn be controversial?

The Complete Works - Edgar Allan Poe
Read "The Complete Works" by Edgar Allan Poe.

Criticism - Edgar Allan Poe
Read "Criticism" by Edgar Allan Poe.

Great Expectations
We can learn a bit more about the life and experiences of Charles Dickens by reading his autobiographical novel, Great Expectations. Discover the life and misadventures of Pip, the orphaned protagonist of Great Expectations--with these famous quotes, by Charles Dickens.

Emily Dickinson
(1830-1886) American writer. Emily Dickinson was not well-known during her lifetime, as she lived in seclusion in Amherst, Massachusetts. Dickinson wrote more than 1,800 poems. Read more about the life and works of Emily Dickison.

31 - The Jungle - Upton Sinclair (1878-1968)
Read "The Jungle," by Upton Sinclair.

Coming Through the Rye - Robert Burns (1759-1796)
Read "Coming Through the Rye" by Robert Burns -- Scotland's greatest poet.

A Farewell to Arms Quotes
A Farewell to Arms is a novel by Ernest Hemingway. The book was published in 1929, and the popularity of this work contributed to Hemingway's status as an American legend in literature. Hemingway drew from his wartime experiences to tell the story of Frederic Henry, a volunteer in the Italian army. Here are a few quotes from this tragic love story, A Farewell to Arms.

Grapes of Wrath Quotes
Grapes of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck, Nobel-Prize winner for literature. Published in 1939, the novel centers around the Joads, a family of sharecroppers, who journey to California to find a new life--amidst the Dust Bowl devastation of the Great Depression. Here are a few quotes from Grapes of Wrath.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nes
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is the famous novel by Ken Kesey about insanity and the individual--with the concept of revolution figured in. The book is set in an Oregon insane asylum and centers around the struggles of patients to gain some sense of freedom in the repressive environment. Here are a few quotes from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Mark Twain
(1835-1910) American writer. Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Missouri on November 30, 1835. Read more about Mark Twain's life and works.

William Shakespeare
(1564-1616) British writer. William Shakespeare is recognized as one of the greatest writers of all time, known for works like "Hamlet," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Romeo and Juliet," "Othello," "The Tempest," and many other works. Read more about the life and works of William Shakespeare.

Feminist criticism
What is feminist criticism? Why do we read and write feminist criticism? Read more about feminist criticism.

Stream of Consciousness
What is stream of consciousness? Read more about stream of consciousness.

The Red Badge of Courage Quiz
Test your knowledge of The Red Badge of Courage.

Brave New World
In a futuristic society based on pleasure without moral repercussions, Aldous Huxley places a few oddball characters to stir up the plot. Read more about Brave New World.

Wuthering Heights Quotes
Wuthering Heights is a famous work of Gothic fiction by Emily Bronte. The work is often been compared with Jane Eyre, which is by Emily's sister, Charlotte. Wuthering Heights is a tale of all-consuming romantic passion. Here are a few quotes from Wuthering Heights.

To My Mother - Edgar Allan Poe
Read "To My Mother" by Edgar Allan Poe.

Mary Shelley
Famous for Frankenstein, Mary Shelley was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, and the wife of the Romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Read more about the life and works of Mary Shelley.

A History of English Literature
Read "A History of English Literature."

The Bell Jar Quotes
The Bell Jar was the famous autobiographical novel by Sylvia Plath, though it was first published under the pseudonym, Victoria Lucas. Here are a few quotes from The Bell Jar.

The Miller's Tale, Modern - Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400)
Read The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400). Ths work of British literature is one of the most famous pieces of the period.

Keep a Reading Log / Journal
A reading log or book journal is a great place to react to what you read. You can find out exactly how you feel about the characters; you may gain insight about the theme and plot; and you can expand your overall enjoyment of the literature. Here are a few idea starters. Feel free to build your own list of questions as you start your life-long habit of keeping a reading log or book journal. Read on.

The Complete Works - Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
Read the collected works of Walt Whitman.

The Devil and Tom Walker
Washington Irving published "The Devil and Tom Walker" in 1824 as part of his short story collection, "Tales of a Traveller." The story has been compared to the classic story of Faust, a scholar who makes a deal with the devil. Read more about "The Devil and Tom Walker."

Slaughterhouse-Five Quotes
Slaughterhouse-Five is an anti-war novel, by Kurt Vonnegut. The work was first published in 1969, and it's been called an American classic. Semi-autobiographical in nature, the novel is drawn from the Vonnegut's war-time experiences in World War II. Here are a few quotes from the novel.

The City in the Sea - Edgar Allan Poe
Read "The City in the Sea" by Edgar Allan Poe.

Greek Mythology Books
Greek Mythology is filled with tales of how the gods came into being, the birth of heroes, and the horrors of monsters. There's the story of Oedipus, the adventures of Odysseus, and so many other tales...

Roald Dahl Books
Roald Dahl is a favorite author for readers of all ages. He is the mastermind behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and countless other famous books. Take a look at these books... Explore a few of his greatest classics.

Dramatic Irony
What is dramatic irony? How does dramatic irony relate to literature? Read more about dramatic irony!

The Giver - Lois Lowry
The Giver is a novel by Lois Lowry. It's about Jonas, who becomes the Receiver of Memories, and then begins to understand the deepest secrets of the society. Here are a few quotes from The Giver.

Romantic Poetry - British
In the Romantic period in British literature, poets like Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, and Keats reflected the revolution and creative spirit of the age. Read poetry from the Romantic period.

Brush up on Your Shakespeare -- Quiz
Why was Jane Austen so famous? What are some of her most well-known works? Which characters fall in love? And what happens? Test your knowledge about Jane Austen.

The Pardoner's Tale, Modern English - Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400)
Read The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400). Ths work of British literature is one of the most famous pieces of the period.

Emily's Mother
Emily Dickinson is one of the most mysterious writers in literary history. Although she was a literary genius, only eight of her poems were published in her life, and she lived a secluded existence. But, this quiet life at home can be compared to the isolated life her mother lived.

To Kill a Mockingbird Question
To Kill a Mockingbird is the only known novel by Harper Lee. Here are a few questions for study and discussion.

Picture of Dorian Gray Quotes
The Picture of Dorian Gray is Oscar Wilde's only known novel. The work first appeared in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1890, and it was revised and published as a novel the following year. The work was considered scandalous and immoral when it first appeared, but it was really a way for Wilde to write about his philosophy of art. Here are a few quotes from The Picture of Dorian Gray.

My Last Duchess Quiz
Test your knowledge of "My Last Duchess."

Alice in Wonderland Quotes
Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll, was first written for Alice Pleasance Liddell. The book was first published in 1865. This book and its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, are still popular and widely translated. Here are a few quotes.

Literature in Time - Literary Periods
Brief list of Literary Periods in history from Old and Middle English through the Victorian Period to the Modern Period in literature.

Classic Literature Directory - Writers Centuries Literature Genres Groups Periods Literary Theory Popular Notable Reference
Explore literature from around the world, by country, time period, genre, and group. Also find reference resources.

Coming of Age Novels
A coming-of-age story or novel is memorable because the character undergoes adventures and/or inner turmoil in his/her growth and development as a human being. Some characters come to grips with the reality of cruelty in the world--with war, violence, death, racism, and hatred--while others deal with family, friends, or community issues.

Classic Literature Directory Homework Help
Here's the place to find information for your academic endeavors, including details about types of writing, recommended reading resources, graduate school programs and help, writing essentials, literary get-togethers, study tips and reference resources.

Dracula Quotes
Bram Stoker's Dracula is a classic vampire tale. First published in 1897, the novel drew from vampire myth to create a literary legacy. Even though stories like Polidori's The Vampire and Le Fanu's Carmilla already existed at the time Dracula was first published, Stoker helped to spawn a new dimension in horror literature. Here are a few quotes from Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Uncle Tom's Cabin Quiz
Test your knowledge of "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is probably F. Scott Fitzgerald's greatest novel--a book that offers damning and insightful views of the American nouveau riche in the 1920s. Read more about it.

Jane Eyre Quotes
Charlotte Bronte's novel, Jane Eyre (1847), is the famous tale of an orphan, who must overcome seemingly overwhelming odds to survive. Here are a few famous quotations from the novel...

Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a touching tale of the friendship between two very different men--set against the backdrop of the United States during the depression of the 1930s. Read more about Of Mice and Men, in this review from James Topham.

1 - The Awakening - Kate Chopin (1851-1904)
Read The Awakening by Kate Chopin (1851-1904). The Novel was published in 1889, and was considered shocking and immoral.

1 - Open Boat - Stephen Crane (1871-1900)
Stephen Crane was born more than 6 years after the end of the American Civil War, but The Red Badge of Courage dramatically depicts the war, as though he had been there.

Doll's House - Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)
Read "Hedda Gabler," by Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906).

Roman Fever- by Edith Wharton (1862-1937)
Read "Roman Fever," by Edith Wharton (1862-1937). Edith Wharton was born Edith Newbold Jones. She's usually recognized by the array of novels she brought to life — filled with manners, modesty, and tragedy.

Cry The Beloved Country
Cry, The Beloved Country is the famous African novel by Alan Paton. The story follows the journey a minister, who travels to the big city in search of his prodigal son. Cry, The Beloved Country is said to have been inspired (or influenced) by In a Province (1934). Alan Paton started the novel in 1946, and the book was finally published in 1948. Here are a few quotes from Cry, The Beloved Country, by Alan Paton.

How do I find the values?
Discover where to find the value of books in your collection. Read on.

Of Mice and Men Books
John Steinbeck's classic novel, Of Mice and Men, was first published in 1937. Despite the controversies and book banning that have surrounded the text, this story of George and Lennie in the Salinas Valley has become one of Steinbeck's most beloved works. Read more about Of Mice and Men.

Essay on Man - Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
Read "Essay on Man," by Alexander Pope. This British poet was one of the most famous poets of the 18th century. He's known for "An Essay on Criticism," "Rape of the Lock," and other works.

How to Write a Persuasive Literature Essay
When you write a persuasive essay, you are creating a paper that will prove a point, which will change the reader's opinion and/or clarify the issue.

9th Grade Reading List
9th Grade Reading List

Anne Frank Quotes
Anne Frank was a young girl who was caught up in the horror of the Holocaust. She received a diary for her 13th birthday, and began penning the words that would make her forever memorable. Read about her hopes, dreams, fears, and tears. Here are just a few quotes from Anne Frank.

The Nun's Priest's Tale, Modern English - Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400)
Read The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400). Ths work of British literature is one of the most famous pieces of the period.

Jane Austen Movies
How do you take the classics of Jane Austen, and adapt them to the big screen--without missing many of those subtle details and the complexity in her novels? These movies aren't a substitute for Jane Austen's novels, but the films offer spectacular views into the lives of her greatest heroines--punctuated by the vibrance of costume and the eloquence of music and language. Here's a list of a few adaptations of Jane Austen's novels.

Restoration Comedy
A comedy is usually a light, rather amusing, play that deals with contemporary life and manners. Such a drama often has a satirical slant, but ends happily. Among the many sub-genre under comedy, we find the comedy of manners, which originated in France with Molièr's "Les Precieuses ridicules" (1658). Molièr saw this comic form as a way to correct social absurdities.

Questions - Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
Frankenstein's presumptuous act of creation, although begun with the best of intentions, is doomed to failure, for man cannot hope to penetrate the secrets of science.

The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde's only novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891) is a classic instance of the aestheticism of the late 19th century's English literature... For greater emphasis, Wilde defines the artist as free of ethical sympathies and morbidity. Read more about the novel.

Of Mice and Men Questions
Of Mice and Men is a famous (and controversial) novel by John Steinbeck. Here are a few questions for study and discussion.

Waiting for Godot Quotes
Waiting for Godot is a play by Samuel Beckett. The play depicts the meaninglessness of life--with its repetitive plot, where nothing much happens. Here are a few quotes from Waiting for Godot.

As I Lay Dying Quotes
As I Lay Dying is the fictional chronicle of Addie Bundren's death. The family undertakes a journey to bury her body. The novel is narrated with the shifting viewpoints of 15 characters--made all the more vivid with Faulkner's use of the vernacular and stream-of-consciousness style. Here are a few quotes from As I Lay Dying.

Black Boy Quotes
Black Boy, by Richard Wright, was first published in 1945. This autobiographical novel was a bestseller, and it is an important 20th-century work of literature. Another famous novel by Richard Wright, Native Son, was published in 1940. Here are a few quotes from Black Boy.

War of the Worlds Quiz
Test your knowledge of "War of the Worlds."

Persuasive Essay
When you write a persuasive essay, you are creating a paper that will prove a point, which will change the reader's opinion and/or clarify the issue.

Walden Quotes
Henry David Thoreau's Walden was published in 1854. The essay details the experiment in personal independence and self-reliance that Thoreau underwent, starting on July 4, 1845. Here are a few famous quotations from the essay...

Realism - American
What is Realism? Read more about it.

Adjectives - An English Grammar - W. M. Baskervill
Read "An English Grammar," by W. M. Baskervill and J. W. Sewell.

One Flew Over
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one of a number of works of art that came out of 1960s North America. Because of their counter-culture attitude and the distaste for any kind of social authority, these works became grouped together under the term Beat Literature. Read more about this book, with this review from James Topham.

The Laboratory - Robert Browning (1812-1883)
Read "The Laboratory," by Robert Browning.

Mark Twain - Slavery
What did Mark Twain write about slavery? What was his view on slaves? How did Mark Twain's background influence his perceptions on African Americans?

A Clean Well-Lighted Place
The name of Ernest Hemingway towers above them in literary history. He is memorable not only for what he did (creating some great works of literature, including Old Man and the Sea and The Sun Also Rises), but also for what he didn't do. He didn't use an excess of words and language in his books. He is known for brevity.

The Franklin's Tale, Modern - Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400)
Read The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?-1400). Ths work of British literature is one of the most famous pieces of the period.

My Last Duchess
"My Last Duchess" is a great example of dramatic dialogue, a poetic form used to narrate and dramatize Victorian concerns. Read more about Robert Browning's famous work.

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus - Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)
Read "The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus" by Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593).

Story of an Hour - Kate Chopin (1851-1904)
Read Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin (1851-1904).

Beloved Quotes
Beloved is a novel by Toni Morrison, who uses flashbacks and other devices to draw us through the tragic series of events in Seth's life. A moment of insanity shaped the rest of her existence; and, she (and those around her) would never be the same. Here are a few quotes from this dark novel, Beloved.

Determine a Reading Schedule
Despite your best efforts, it's sometimes difficult to stick with your plan to finish that list of books. Other projects get in the way. You may find yourself overwhelmed by the size of the book you've chosen. You may just let the habit of reading slide or slip until you've forgotten much of the plot and/or characters; and, you feel that you might as well just start over. Here's a solution: Set up a reading schedule to get you through those books!

General Book Club Questions
In your book club, you may be reading books on a wide variety of topics. Here are a few questions for study and discussion. These questions are designed to make you think about the book(s). Take a look...

The Story of An Hour Study
The Story of An Hour is a short story by Kate Chopin. The story was published in 1894, and it spans a one-hour span of time in the life of Mrs. Millard. She has a heart condition, which causes her sister and her husband's friend, Richard, to be extremely concerned about her when the terrible news of her husband's death in a train accident is passed on to her. Read more about this story.

Autobiography of Mark Twain
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) has been likened to Walt Whitman as one of the most quintessentially American writers this country has produced. While this book does not contain Mark Twain's complete autobiography, the stories do leave us with more of a flavor for the man and the legend.

The Call of the Wild Quotes
"The Call of the Wild" is a novel by Jack London (John Griffith London), which was serialized in the summer of 1903--to popular acclaim. The book is about Buck, a dog who eventually learns to survive in the wilds of Alaska. Read quotes from "The Call of the Wild," by Jack London.

"Much madness is divinest sense" - Poetry - Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
Read the poetry of Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).

Banned Books
Books are banned every day. Do you know some of the most famous examples of books that have been censored? Do you know why they've been challenged or banned. This list highlights some of the most famous books that have been been banned, censored, or challenged. Take a look!

Death of a Salesman
When it premiered in 1949, Death of a Salesman was an instant success and secured Arthur Miller's place as one of the great American playwrights of the twentieth century. Read more about this play, from James Topham.

Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde created one of the most delightful and memorable social comedies, with The Importance of Being Earnest. It's a comedy of manners that satirizes Victorian manners and customs, but he does it with a light, witty style that's absolutely unforgettable. Here are a few quotes from The Importance of Being Earnest.