Native Son (Bloom's Guides)

Set in Chicago in the 1930s, Richard Wright's novel tells the unforgettable story of Bigger Thomas, a brutal murderer caught in a cycle of racism and poverty in inner-city America. Though critics often debate the effectiveness of Bigger's character, nearly all agree on the power of Wright's tale. This new guide presents a comprehensive critical look at this important work, delving into both its literary significance and social impact.

The Metamorphosis (Bloom's Guides)

"The Metamorphosis", perhaps Franz Kafka's most widely read work, is the story of a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, who wakes one morning to find he has been transformed into a "gigantic insect." This new Bloom's Guide provides the ideal introduction to this symbolic tale, which has many interpretations. Pointing students to essential analyses, its critical extracts cover distinct elements of Kafka's novella, offering a variety of viewpoints.

The Member of the Wedding (Bloom's Guides)

Carson McCullers depicts life in a small town in the south with startling clarity and vision. The Member of the Wedding is the coming of age story of frankie Adams, a lonely Georgian girl in the throes of adolescence. Summaries with analysis, review and explain the work, enhancing the reader's understanding.

Imperial Eyes: Studies in Travel Writing and Transculturation

This second edition of a highly acclaimed and interdisciplinary book which quickly established itself as a seminal text in its field investigates the way in which travel writing has constructed an image of the world beyond Europe for European readerships.

Literature and Utopian Politics in Seventeenth-Century England

Appelbaum surveys literature from 1603 to the 1660s and shows how its ideal politics were engaged in the reality of political and social struggle. He also shows how self-defeating the exercise could be. In an era of political and religious conflict, writers asserted themselves as the authors of social and political ideals.