Study Gudes: English Literature Series

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is regarded as one of the finest piece of fiction in American English Literature. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was born at the Hartford Female Academy. A teacher and an active social worker; Stowe was also an active abolitionist. Uncle Tom, the central character of the story, is a long suffering black slave and the story revolves around him. The stories of the other characters are in one or the other way related to the story of Uncle Tom.

Anne Bronte wrote two novels in her literary career. “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” is the second novel written by her. It was published in the year 1848. Anne Bronte used the pseudonym Acton Bell. It is said to be the most shocking of the Brontes’ novels. The novel was extremely successful soon after its publication. After the death of Anne Bronte, her sister Charlotte Bronte did not allow the novel to be republished. She prevented its further publication. A Quick Guide to The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Copyright Chapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: Setting and Background Chapter Three: Characters Chapter Four: Background and Timeline Chapter Five: Plot Summary Chapter Six: Thematic Analysis Chapter Seven: Reception Chapter Eight: Critical Commentary

It is believed that “The Tale of Genji” was delivered to aristocratic women, the yokibito, in installments, so the book may have also been written chapter by chapter in installments. The book has many elements of a modern novel. There is a central character and various major and minor characters. There is well developed characterization of all the major characters. The book has a sequence of events which cover the central character’s lifetime and beyond. There is no plot, but the characters evolve as they grow old, as the events continue to take place in their lives. The most noticeable element of the book is its internal consistency, though there are about four hundred characters in the book. A Quick Guide to “The Tale of Genji” Copyright Chapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: Background Chapter Three: About Authorship Chapter Four: Plot Summary Chapter Five: Structure Chapter Six: Critical Analysis Chapter Seven: Legacy

“Adam Bede” was the first novel written by George Eliot. Actually, George Eliot is the pen name of Mary Ann Evans. The book was first published in 1859. The first edition of the book was published pseudonymously, although Mary Ann Evans was already well published author and an extremely respected scholar of her time. “Adam Bede” has never gone out of print ever since its first publication. The book is prescribed in the course of studies in various college and universities in the syllabus of English Literature for higher level students. There is no denial that “Adam Bede” is one of the best examples of realism in English literature. The author has given an accurate presentation of the contemporary life as it was and did not invent plots of characters to make it subjective in any way so as to tell how the world ought to be. Quick Guide: Adam Bede Copyright Chapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: Characters Chapter Three: Plot Overview Chapter Four: Summary of the Novel Chapter Five: Literary Significance Chapter Six: Thematic Analysis

“Goldfinger” by Ian Fleming was first published in England on 23rd of March 1950. It was published by Jonathan Cape. It was the seventh novel written by Fleming in James Bond series. The original title of “Goldfinger” was “The Richest Man in the World.” It was written between January and February in the year 1958. The story of “Goldfinger” revolves around the investigation by M16 operative James Bond into the gold smuggling activities of Auric Goldfinger. Quick Guide: Goldfinger Copyright Chapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: History and Background Chapter Three: Themes and Characters Chapter Four: Plot Summary Chapter Five: Reception and Response

Although the story is focused on Silas, an individual, the role of the society is also significant. The theme of the individual versus the community is quite significant in the novel. Silas is the title character, but the story is very much about the community of Raveloe in which Silas lives. A kind of tension prevails between the community and Silas all through the story. He spends a few years in total isolation, but with the changing circumstances he becomes a part of the community. The author seems to be exploring the relationship between an individual and the surrounding community he lives in. Quick Guide: Silas Marner Copyright Chapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: Characters Chapter Three: Plot Summary Chapter Four: Summary All Chapters Chapter Five: Thematic Analysis

“The Trial” by Franz Kafka was originally written in German language. Its original German title is “Der Process” which later changed into “Der Prozess”, “Der Proce”, and then “Der Proze.” The novel was written between 1914 and 1915. It was published after about ten years in 1925. A Quick Guide to “The Trial” Copyright Chapter One: Introduction to “The Trial” Chapter Two: Characters Chapter Three: Plot Summary Chapter Four: Critical Analysis

Guide books or book notes are primarily written to make students understand the original text better, especially from all those angles which are often overlooked by a casual reader. But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

The narrator of the story is sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen. Katniss lives in a post apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where there used to be the countries of North America. The Capitol is a highly modern and technically advanced town and it holds hegemony over the rest of the country. There are twelve districts surrounding the Capitol. The Hunger Games are a yearly event. One boy and one girl between the age of twelve and eighteen are selected from the twelve districts. The selection is done through a lottery. They are selected to take part in a televised battle to death until only one winner is left alive.

Ian Fleming is known for his James Bond novels. He is one of the most widely read novelists in the young world. “Casino Royale” was the first novel written by Ian Fleming. With the success of this novel, he went on to write further eleven novels and two short story collections. Many other novelists continued the trend and kept James Bond alive in their novels. The story of “Casino Royale” revolves around the central character James Bond, called 007. He happens to be a secret agent of the “Secret Service.” Quick Guide: Casino Royale Copyright Chapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: History and Background Chapter Three: Character and Themes Chapter Four: Plot Summary Chapter Five: Critical Reviews

But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all the students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

Mosses Herzog is the protagonist and the central character of the novel “Herzog.” Though the story has a narrative plot, most of the important action develops in the mind of the protagonist. Moses Herzog is a middle aged man; he is a college professor; he has temporarily become the resident of his country home in the Berkshire. With the course of time, during his teaching career, Moses has developed a habit of writing letters. Surprisingly, he never sends those letters. He writes letters to his family, his friends, his acquaintances, various scholars, writers, and even to the people who have already died. A major part of the novel is given to these letters.

It was first performed on the 14th of February in 1895 at St. James’s Theatre in London. The protagonists in the play hide themselves behind fictitious personae. It is done with a purpose of escaping from burdensome social obligations. This farcical comedy takes the art of comedy to new heights and proves that comedy is not only for the purpose of making people laugh. Triviality is the major theme of the play. The play treats the Victorians ways satirically and it ridicules the institution of marriage.

Guide books or book notes are primarily written to make students understand the original text better, especially from all those angles which are often overlooked by a casual reader. But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all the students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

A Figure of Speech can also be used as a special repetition, arrangement or omission of words with literal meaning, or a phrase with a specialized meaning not based on the literal meaning of the words in it, as in idiom, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, or personification. The figurative use of language adds to the strength of the content or subject because it often provides emphasis, freshness of expression, or clarity. This has to be kept in mind that the clarity may also suffer from their use, as any figure of speech introduces an ambiguity between literal and figurative interpretation. A figure of speech is sometimes called a rhetorical figure or a locution.

The story is set in the period after the Great Depression in the year 1936. The place is Pittsburg. The Piano Lesson follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles household and an heirloom, the infamous piano. The play focuses on the arguments between a brother and a sister who have different ideas on what to do with the piano they own. The brother, Boy Willie, is a sharecropper who wants to sell the piano to buy the land (Sutter's land) that his ancestors had toiled on as slaves while the sister, Berniece, remains emphatic about keeping it. The piano shows the carved faces of their great-grandfather's wife of son during the days of their enslavement.

“A Yellow Raft in Blue Water” by Michael Dorris was first published in 1987. This novel is written from the view points of Royana, Christine, and Aunt Ida, the major characters in the novel. These three narrators keep on exchanging viewpoints between different parts of the novel. The story revolves around a young woman Royana, her birth mother, Christine, and Aunt Ida, the adoptive mother of Christine.

But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

“Sylvie and Bruno” revolves around two main plots. One of the plots is set in the real world, and the time is of the Victorian era when the book was published. The second plot is set in the fantasy world of Fairyland. The second plot of the story is a fairy tale, which includes various nonsense elements and poems. It is somewhat similar to Lewis Carroll’s “Alice” books. The main story of the novel is set in Victorian England. It is a social novel. The characters in the novel remain involved in various discussions on various concepts and aspects of morality, philosophy, society, and religion. Through the discussions held among the characters, the author obviously brings to light the shortcomings of the contemporary British society.

Guide books or book notes are primarily written to make students understand the original text better, especially from all those angles which are often overlooked by a casual reader. But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

Guide books or book notes are primarily written to make students understand the original text better, especially from all those angles which are often overlooked by a casual reader. But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all the students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best.

But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all the students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

Guide books or book notes are primarily written to make students understand the original text better, especially from all those angles which are often overlooked by a casual reader. But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

This autobiographical novel describes the events which took place in the life of the author in 1915 when he father had gone out of town to see his own father, who had had a heart attack. While his father was coming back home, he had a car accident and he was killed. The novel presents a picture of the life of people in Knoxville, Tennessee. The story reveals how the young widow suffers her loss and how her two children are affected. It also shows how the accident affects her atheist father and her alcoholic brother-in-law.

Guide books or book notes are primarily written to make students understand the original text better, especially from all those angles which are often overlooked by a casual reader. But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all the students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma

In this treatise, there is the introduction to the author, followed by the introduction of the novel. The plot summary is followed by description of the characters, complete summary, and critical analysis. The book is a ready help to the students and teachers of English Literature, however, it is advisable that they must read the original text of the novel to get to the bottom of the subtle literary characteristics and literary elements which are there in the novel. All the best Raja Sharma

Guide books or book notes are primarily written to make students understand the original text better, especially from all those angles which are often overlooked by a casual reader. But, in the recent years it has been noticed that a very large majority of the students, without reading the original texts, rely on the guide books or notes prepared by their teachers or others. This is definitely not a healthy habit because students do pass their exams with the help of such notes; they miss so many things which haunt them in their later lives. I would strongly advise all students to read the original text once again even if you have already read it, after reading this short treatise. You will see that the same story, after reading this treatise, will begin to give many new meanings to you. All the best. Raja Sharma