Presents essays that examine racism and other related issues in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," discussing such topics as race and gender, humor and folklore, and death and rebirth.

Presents essays that examine civil rights in "Native Son," including the cost of oppression, the search for black identity, and how racism has evolved in society today.

Essays "explore race relations and other themes as portrayed by Paton in Cry, the Beloved Country as well as examine aspects of race relations in postapartheid South Africa today."-Introduction.

Brings together the disciplines of sociology and literature in a unique format designed to support cross-curricular studies. Each volume explores a work of literature through the lens of the major social issue reflected in it, and featues carefully-selected content representing a variety of perspectives. All volumes in the series contain biographical and critical information about the author; secondary excerpts offering both historical and contemporaty...

Examines Shakespeare's life as it relates to the creation of the play, explores the political setting and relationships within the work, and investigates analogous situations found throughout the world today.

Presents a collection of essays on the theme of war as depicted in the novel, along with a short biography and interview with the author.

Essays dealing with women's independence in Jane Eyre, and how it relates to the twenty-first century.

Discusses the concept of poverty as it relates to John Steinbeck's novel, "The Pearl."

Each volume explores a work of literature through the lens of the major social issue reflected in it, and features carefully-selected content representing a variety of perspectives.