A Student Handbook to the Plays of Arthur Miller provides the essential guide to Millers most studied and revived dramas. Authored by a team of leading scholars; it offers students a clear analysis and detailed commentary on five of Millers plays: All My Sons; Death of a Salesman; The Crucible; A View from the Bridge and Broken Glass. A consistent framework of analysis ensures that whether readers want a summary of the play; a commentary on the themes or characters; or a discussion of the work in performance; they can readily find what they need to develop their understanding and aid their appreciation of Millers artistry. A chronology of Millers life and work helps to situate his oeuvre in context and the introduction reinforces this by providing a clear overview of his writing; its recurrent themes and how these are intertwined with his life and times. For each play the author provides a summary of the plot; followed by commentary on the context; themes; characters; structure and language; and the play in production - both on stage and screen adaptations; there are questions for further study and detailed notes on words and phrases in the text. The wealth of authoritative and clear commentary on each play; together with further questions that encourage comparison across Millers work and related plays by other leading writers; ensures that this is the clearest and fullest guide to Millers greatest plays.
#671999 in eBooks 2007-07-16 2007-07-16File Name: B00G1SDKU2
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A fantastic and fun adventure storyBy MicheleAround the World in 80 Days; the classic travel adventure story by Jules Verne; is just plain fun. The mysterious Phileas Fogg; so phlegmatic as to be eccentric; sets out to win a bet against fellow members of his club; who believe it is impossible to circle the globe in just 80 days. Accompanying him is his French valet Passpartout; who had only begun his employment that very day; and who was looking forward to a calm life of predictability.This tongue-in-cheek humor sets the tone for the entire story; which is filled with adventure; mishaps; and humorous irony. Fogg is beset by one obstacle after another; not the least of which is Inspector Fix; who doggedly follows Fogg believing he is the notorious criminal who robbed a London bank on the very day that Phileas Fogg set out on his adventure (all of which Fogg is totally unaware). Will Phileas Fogg be able to overcome it all in time to make it back to London by 8:45 pm on December 21; the precise time at which he must appear in his club in order to win his bet?Although the characters are little more than caricatures who always show the same mood; still they are fun characters. And the reader soon becomes so swept up in Vernes highly imaginative tale that it is easy to forgive him for the lack of character development. Vernes depiction of non-English cultures will strike the modern reader as stereotypic and bigoted; still; one must consider the prevailing opinions of the times in which Verne wrote; and remember that this is; above all; a fantastic adventure story meant to be purely entertaining.Jim Dale is a fabulous narrator; giving each character a distinct voice which lends even more color to this already colorful story. He does an excellent job with the couple of American characters; something which almost no British narrator is able to do.This is one I will listen to again; and I recommend it as enjoyable; lighthearted entertainment0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fun for a night or fun for eighty days.....just pure fun!By KBA great Verne classic! In particular this edition is worth every penny! The pages are of thick cardstock and the dust jacket is just fantastic! The illustrations really bring the story to life. And the story is of course riveting. A GREAT classic!! This edition is one of those books that will be an heirloom. It is hardy enough in construction (includes a bright satin ribbon as a bookmark!) to endure and the story will be relevant forever. Again a wonderful classic presented in such a way to rival the characters and plot. I would gladly recommend this book and the others in the series to others; and as a mom of five and a nanny to many this book can be appreciated and enjoyed for many; many years. A great investment to encourage reading; creative writing and most especially time with your children reading together!! The other books in this series (Sterling Illustrated Classics) are also of great quality.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. My favorite VerneBy RFAlways in action and a contemporary illustration of the English gentleman ideal of the Victorian era .Also better than the movie versions though the David Niven one is the truest to the story.