Books in the Character Studies series

"Beloved" won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1987, and is the most-often taught novel. This work demonstrates the necessity of linking character analysis to texts' themes, issues and ideas, and encourages students to embrace the complexity of literary characters and the texts in which they appear.

"Heart of Darkness" (1899) is one of the most important literary works of the early twentieth century. It has provoked much critical debate, on issues such as fin de siecle doubt and pessimism, European colonialism, racism, and misogyny. This work introduces "Heart of Darkness" through its key characters.

Aims to promote sophisticated literary analysis through the concept of character. This book demonstrates the necessity of linking character analysis to texts, themes, issues and ideas, and encourages students to embrace the complexity of literary characters and the texts in which they appear. It provides an introductory study of Beckett's play.

Grappling with the characters of "Hamlet" - how they are formed, how they function in the play, and how we read them - is crucial to understanding both its complexity and its critical history. This study includes an overview of "Hamlet", and addresses the character of Hamlet within a range of contexts including, dramatic and generic.

Provides an introductory overview of the text of "Othello". This guide includes: a discussion of the background to the play including its publishing and reception history; an overview of the narrative structure; and chapters discussing the representation of the characters including Othello, Iago and Desdemona as well as the more minor characters.

Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is one of the widely read novels. This study includes: an introductory overview of the novel, including a brief account of its historical and literary contexts, and reception history; discussion of the major themes and narrative structure; and, chapters analysing in detail the representation of key characters.

Aims to promote sophisticated literary analysis through the concept of character. This study demonstrates the necessity of linking character analysis to texts' themes, issues and ideas, and encourages students to embrace the complexity of literary characters and the texts in which they appear.

Aims to promote sophisticated literary analysis through the concept of character. This series demonstrates the necessity of linking character analysis to texts' themes, issues and ideas, and encourages students to embrace the complexity of literary characters and the texts in which they appear.