Background information on literary works can include plot summaries, thematic overviews, author biographies, historical context, and other factual information. This kind of content can help you understand the scholarly articles you will find as you search for literary criticism.
Novels for Students In the library and online and as an eBook.
Masterplots In the library and online as an eBook via Salem Online database. Link connects to the eBook.
Critical Survey of Long Fiction In the library and online and as an eBook via Salem Online database.
Critical Survey of Graphic Novels: Heroes and Superheroes, Second Edition In the library and online. Covers 130 of the most popular and studied graphic novels. Discusses literary themes and artistic styles used to convey beliefs and conflicts, some harking back to ancient times.
Critical Survey of Graphic Novels: Manga, Second Edition Available in the library and online. Covers the most popular and studied manga graphic novels. The manga tradition includes josei manga, which targets a mature female audience, shoujo-ai manga, which focuses on the spiritual, sexual, or emotional aspects of relationships, shonen-ai, manga created by female authors that focuses on homoerotic or homoromantic male relationships, and kodomo manga, created exclusively for a young audience.
Critical Survey of Graphic Novels: History, Theme, and Technique, Second Edition Available in the library and online as an eBook. Insight into themes and topics related to graphic novels. It provides insight into various aspects of the industry, from craftsmanship such as lettering, inking, and illustration styles, to the production and distribution of graphic novels and the significance and history of comic book conventions.
Critical Survey of Graphic Novels - Independent and Underground Classics, Second Edition Available in the library and online as an eBook. This three volume set covers over 215 well-regarded works of the independent and underground genre of graphic novels, summarizing plots and analyzing the works in terms of their literary integrity and overall contribution to the graphic novel landscape.Different from background information, literary criticism can be defined as analysis and interpretation of literary works by scholars giving their points of view. These online databases are especially helpful for finding literary criticism articles.
The following two links open into new windows.
This video tutorial shows how to find literary criticism in the library catalog and in literary article databases. Captions are available.
The catalog search demonstration begins at 00:01:06. The databases search demonstration begins at 00:02:54.
The databases demonstrated are Bloom's Literature and Gale Literature. The techniques shown are useful for any database.