Although works of fiction, John Steinbeck's novellas Of Mice and Men, The Red Pony, and The Pearl are a window on the history of the times and places they portray. Learning about the historical, social, economic, and regional background of each novella is essential to a full understanding of it. This interdisciplinary collection of rich collateral materials features a variety of primary documents that shed light on each of these novellas - the pioneer...

"When 'The Grapes of Wrath' was published in 1939, it had an explosive effect on the public, calling attention to the problems of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression. This casebook provides a rich source of primary materials on the period and the plight of the migrant farm worker that bring to life the problems Steinbeck immortalized in the novel. Included are interviews with eyewitnesses to the Dust Bowl, firsthand accounts and investigative...

"Colonialism in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness: Background on Joseph Conrad; Colonialism in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness; Contemporary Perspectives on Colonialism"--

Collection of essays discussing whether Mark Twain's book is racist, the issue of race in the novel itself, and race relations in 21st century America.

Discussions include how the protagonist's female gender affects reaction to the book's coming-of-age message, how themes of oppression and marginalization play out among the characters, and what Esperanza's personality says about her relationships to males in the novel. --from publisher description