LibGuides: Finding Literary Criticism (Ybor City): General Literature

Literary Criticism Databases

These library databases will lead you to critical and overview articles about novels, short stories, plays, poems, and other works of literature; literary topics; author information; full text of many works; and more. Click a link below and log in.

Literature (Gale)
Detailed information about authors' lives and works, full-text critical essays and reviews, overviews of frequently studied works, and full-text articles, critical essays and reviews from scholarly journals and literary magazines.
- In Name of Work, type the title of the story, poem, etc.
- In Person By or About, type the last name of the author.
- *Optional* - You may type a keyword to further specify a theme or topic you are exploring.
Click Search.
First items will be literary criticism articles arranged by relevance.
You can click to View All.
Literary Reference Center Plus (EBSCO)
Detailed information on the most studied authors and their works.
- In the first search box type the title of the literary work inside quotation marks, followed by the author's last name. Example: "The Story of an Hour" Chopin.
- Check the "Full text" box.
- Under "Document Type" select "Literary Criticism."
- Click "Search."
Bloom's Literature (Infobase Publishing)
Salem Online (Salem Press)
LitFinder (Gale)
Full text of thousands of poems, short stories, essays, speeches and plays. Funding source: State Library of Florida. Here is a tutorial.
JSTOR
Back issues of core journals in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Funding source: Statewide allocation. Here is a tutorial.
Gale Literature Criticism
Provides full-text literature criticism from Drama, Short Story, Poetry, Nineteenth Century, Twentieth Century, and Contemporary Literary Criticism. Funding source: HCC perpetual license

Literary Themes for Students

These online reference books (eBooks) outline how themes are treated in American, British and world literature. Author profiles are included, as well as highlights of major works centered around the theme.

Literature and its Times

Profiles of notable American and international literary works and the historical events that influenced them. These books are online only.

Literature and Its Times Ancient Times to American and French Revolutions (Prehistory-1790s)Civil Wars to Frontier Societies (1800-1880s)Growth of Empires to the Great Depression (1890s-1930s)World War II to the Affluent Fifities (1940s-1950s)Civl Rights Movements to Future Times (1960-2000)
Literature and Its Times Supplement I Ancient Times to Harlem Renaissance (Beginnings-1920s)Great Depression and New Deal to Future Times (1930s - )

World Literatures and their Times

Covers major fiction, poetry and nonfiction from countries and regions around the world. Literary works are discussed in the context of the social climate during which they were created. PRO TIP: For most efficient searching, use Search Within Publication.

Social/Historical Perspectives on Literature

These books are for use in the library only.

Encyclopedia of Feminist Literature
Call Number: REF PN471 .S58 2006

What’s in this print book?
A-to-Z guide covering feminist authors, literary works, and other related topics from around the world and in a number of fiction and nonfiction genres.
Social Protest Literature: An Encyclopedia of Works, Characters, Authors, and Themes
Call Number:
REF PN56.S65 N48 1999

What’s in this print book?
Analyzes more than 130 literary works with a social conscience. Gives plot summaries, information on the lives of authors, major characters and themes. 1vol.
Encyclopedia of Literature and Politics: Censorship, Revolution & Writing
Call Number:
REF PN51 .E63 2005

What’s in this print book?
Explores the complex relationship between literature and politics, from ancient Greece to the present - especially conflicts and controversies of the modern world and works written in English. Three volumes. Go to the Index to look for your topic or author.