In Pygmalion, Shaw presents the classical story of a professor who transforms a girl of the lower class into an elegant creature, who then falls in love with him—unfortunately in love, that is. Set in Bulgaria, Arms and the Man satirizes romantic attitudes about love and war. Raina, the heroine, falls in love with a cowardly, chocolate-loving enemy soldier during an unnamed war. After the war, her fiance challenges her new admirer to a duel, loses heart, and proposes to the maid instead.
As a disguised autobiography, Dickens creates in David the story of a "favorite child," who later encounters suffering and travails, but winds up with a sanguine life all the same.
The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. CliffsNotes on 1984 introduces you to the modern world as imagined by George Orwell, a place where humans have no control over their own lives, where nearly every positive feeling is squelched, and where people live in misery, fear, and repression. Orwell's vision of the future may be grim, but your understanding of his novel can be bright thanks to detailed summaries and commentaries for every chapter. Other features that help you study include Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays A review section that tests your knowledge A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into key elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the familiar format. CliffsNotes on Frankenstein digs into Dr. Victor Frankenstein's scientific creation, a "hideous and gigantic" monster that the good doctor tries to defeat throughout most of the novel. Following the story of an obsessive man whose determination to create a new race of humans produces monstrous results, this study guide provides summaries and critical commentaries for each part within the novel. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Personal background on the author, including career highlights Introduction to and synopsis of the book In-depth analyses of the principal characters Critical essays on the book's themes, plots, and more Review section that features interactive questions and suggested essay topics Resource Center with books, films and other recordings, and websites that can help round out your knowledge Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. Homer's classic Greek epic, The Iliad, plunges you into the midst of the battle of Troy as swords flash and ancient angers flare—and CliffsNotes is at your side through the fray to shield you from being unprepared for class discussion. CliffsNotes character analyses and critical essays delve into the depths of well-fueled feuds and fatal choices to explain the context of the heroic exploits of Achilles, Agamemnon, Hektor, and Priam. As Achaians fight Trojans to the bitter end for the hand of fair Helen, turn to CliffsNotes on The Iliad for plot summaries and commentaries that make sense of the themes of strife and reconciliation in this fast-action work of classic literature. Other features that help you figure out this important work include A close look at the author's life, which offers insight into his writing A background of the epic poem, to help you understand the setting List of characters and their descriptions A map that diagrams the relationships among the characters Glossaries to help you fully understand the poem A review section that tests your knowledge, and suggested essay topics Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. Packed with action and vivid portrayal of human relationships, Shakespeare's Macbeth traces the bloody climb to power and tragic ruin of a fate-plagued king. Count on CliffNotes on Macbeth to carry you through the rise and fall of a cast of characters that includes a cruel and ambitious warrior, his wicked wife, and a trio of witches who have wormed their way into audiences' hearts since William Shakespeare first presented their prophecies about 300 years ago. Show your classmates—and your grade-granting teacher—that you're in the know with English literature. You can't miss with scene summaries, plot explorations, language simplification, and insights into the author's life and times. Other features that help you study include A brief synopsis of the play A character map to help you see relationships among the characters Critical essays on major themes and stage productions An interactive quiz to test your knowledge Essay topics and practice projects Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into key elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the familiar format. CliffsNotes on Ethan Frome explores life in the personal prison designed by the lead character, a “ruin of a man” who would rather be miserable with his lot in life than stray from accepted social convention. Following the story of a poor farmer whose devotion to duty and fear of humiliation keep him from tasting happiness, this study guide provides summaries and commentaries for each chapter within this tragic tale. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Life and background of author Edith Wharton Introduction to the novel, with a synopsis and character map Full character list and analyses of central figures Critical essays on the author’s style, choice of literary tools, and use of themes Review section that features fill-in-the-blank questions, quoted passages, essay questions, and suggested practice projects Resource Center with books, articles, and Web sites that can help round out your knowledge Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. In CliffsNotes on The Outsiders, you’ll dig into a novel of the 1960s that is a story about teenagers written by a teenager. Ponyboy Curtis, a 14-year-old boy, struggles with right and wrong in a society within which he feels he is an outsider. He and his brothers, lower-class "greasers," fight the "Socs," the rich kids, for 14 days. Social issues gaining notice in the '60s—teen pregnancy, underage drinking, and violence—still find relevance among S. E. Hinton's readers today. This concise supplement to The Outsiders helps you understand the overall structure of the novel, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author. Features that help you study include Chapter-by-chapter summaries and commentaries Personal background of the author A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays on the movie versus the book and how society has changed since the 1960s A review section that tests your knowledge Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. CliffsNotes on The Crucible takes you into Arthur Miller's play about good and evil, self-identity and morality. Following the atmosphere and action of the Salem witch trials of the 1600s, this study guide looks into Puritan culture with critical commentaries about each act and scene. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Life and background of the author Introduction to the play Character web and in-depth analyses of the major roles Summaries and glossaries related to each act Essays that explore the author's narrative technique and the play's historical setting A review section that tests your knowledge and suggests essay topics and practice projects A Resource Center for checking out details on books, publications, and Internet resources Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
