Understanding Literature and Film: (Paperback, This edition is ideal for literature and film studies students.)

Who else wants to be able to analyse written and visual media? This expert guide will meet the needs of all students that are studying in the field of lit/film studies, as an introduction. This book will help students write better essays, speak with more authority in tutorials and seminars and prepare for examinations and assessments with more confidence. Product details Paperback: 160 pages Publisher: Studymates Ltd; 2nd edition Language: English ISBN-13: 978-1842851401 Product Dimensions: 21.5 x 1.1 x 15.5 cm Click here to buy Contents Part One: Literature and Literary Genres 1 Introduction: What is Literature? 2 Fiction The Short story The Novel 3 Poetry and Verse Regular, blank and free verse. The sonnet, the ballard, the villanelle. The ode, the epic, the elergy. The Dramatic Monologue. 4 Drama and Theatre Tragedy. Comedy. The Theatre of the Absurd. 5 Film The Composition of the Shot The Use of the Camera Editing Part Two: Studying Literature 6 Studying the Sequence of Events The sequential plot The non-sequential plot The archetypal plot The plot twist Plot and Irony 7 Observing the Characters Dynamic Characters Static Characters Stereotypical Characters Character and irony Character and satire 8 The Influence of the Narrator The Omniscient Narrator The limited Omniscient Narrator First person major character as narrator First person minor character as narrator The Objective Narrator 9 The Influence of Setting Setting and plot Setting and Symbolism Setting and irony Setting and metaphor 10 Getting the Message Family Love War Nature Death Faith Time 11 The Effect of Metaphor Metaphor and Character Metaphor and Theme Metaphor and symbolism 12 The Effect of Imagery Imagery and plot Imagery and character Imagery and setting Imagery and theme 13 Analysing Symbols Objects as symbols Natural Symbols Religious Symbols Characters as symbols 14 Listening to the Tone Sorrow Resignation Irony Triumph 15 The Reader's Point of View The influence of gender The influence of culture The influence of age The influence of politics. Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Clear and worthwhile Reviewed in the United States Handy little thing for someone just diving into English Lit; I wish I had read something of the sort it when I switched to that major. Note that it is designed for students in the UK, discussing some of the texts they are likely to study. But American students should find it worthwhile if nothing better is within easy reach. 5.0 out of 5 stars 'Understanding Literature' by Derek Soles By J. E. Taylor Format: Paperback I found this book to be a clear, concise and comprehensive guide to the study of literature, especially when read in conjunction with another volume in the 'Studymates' series, namely: 'Studying Poetry' by Richard Cochrane. A very useful feature is the inclusion of a list of web sites for literature students. Although this book is targeted at A level students of English literature it would also provide a very valuable introduction to literary studies and literary criticism for those undergraduates embarking on the study of the literature of any language with no previous training in literary studies.