Written in an easy-to-read, accessible style by teachers with years of classroom experience, Masterwork Studies are guides to the literary works most frequently studied in high school. Presenting ideas that spark imaginations, these books help students to gain background knowledge on great literature useful for papers and exams. The goal of each study is to encourage creative thinking by presenting engaging information about each work and its author. This approach allows students to arrive at sound analyses of their own, based on in-depth studies of popular literature. Each volume: Illuminates themes and concepts of a classic text Uses clear, conversational language Is an accessible, manageable length from 140 to 170 pages Includes a chronology of the author's life and era Provides an overview of the historical context Offers a summary of its critical reception Lists primary and secondary sources and index