Sequel: A Handbook for the Critical Analysis of Literature

There is no single, perfect way to interpret a work of art. This is especially true in literature, where what you are able to perceive, and then analyze, depends on knowledge of literary forms, elements, and techniques, as well as literary movements. Finding meaning is further enhanced by viewing works of poetry, fiction, and drama within the context of major analytical approaches. Sequel will develop the critical thinking and writing skills that will encourage a lasting appreciation of literature.

Sequel: A Handbook for the Critical Analysis of Literature provides a thorough introduction to the complexities of literature and its analysis. Literature is introduced in three parts:

• poetry
• fiction
• drama

With an understanding of literature?s basic forms, students are prepared for the analytical units:

• contextual
• formalist
• psychological
• archetypal
• feminist

A final unit takes students step-by-step through the process of writing a literary analysis essay. With a text and appendix full of classic and contemporary poetry and prose, Sequel not only works as a teaching guide, but as a reading resource. In addition to classics by Blake, Frost, Bishop, Plath, Lowell, Dickinson, Poe, Hawthorne, Chopin, and many others, new readings include works by Li-Young Lee, Sandra Cisneros, Saul Williams, Carl Sandburg, Juhan Liiv, Lord Byron, T. S. Eliot, Sara Teasdale, D. H. Lawrence, Adrienne Rich, and Yasunari Kawabata.