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Literature: A Pocket Anthology
A refreshing alternative to voluminous literature anthologies, this compact, inexpensive, and diverse collection of fiction, poetry, and drama provides a concise yet complete introduction to the study of literature. Organized chronologically within each genre, the wide range of selections features both classic and contemporary authors, presenting a diversity of forms and voices. Individual Fiction, Poetry, and Drama introductions provide an overview for reading and analyzing each genre, defining key terms in context. Biographical headnotes highlight common themes and ideas in the author’s body of work. Individuals who want a brief overview of the 3 literary genres.
1408 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
15 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
R.S. Gwynn
42 books2 followersR.S. Gwynn, known as a "new formalist" poet, received a BA from Davidson College, where he twice won the Vereen Bell Award for Creative Writing, and he earned both an MA and an MFA from the University of Arkansas, where he won the John Gould Fletcher Award for Poetry. Gwynn has also won the Michael Braude Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
He is the author of several collections of poetry, including No Word of Farewell: Selected Poems 1970–2000; The Narcissiad (1982), a book-length satirical poem; and The Drive-In (1986), winner of the Breakthrough Award from the University of Missouri Press. Gwynn has taught at Lamar University since 1976. He lives in Beaumont, Texas.
He is the author of several collections of poetry, including No Word of Farewell: Selected Poems 1970–2000; The Narcissiad (1982), a book-length satirical poem; and The Drive-In (1986), winner of the Breakthrough Award from the University of Missouri Press. Gwynn has taught at Lamar University since 1976. He lives in Beaumont, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 27, 2015
Literature A Pocket Anthology- R.S. Gwynn
Other: Short Stories
In the text Literature A Pocket Anthology by R.S. Gwynn we find short stories in here about conflict and appreciation. In the first short story A White Heron by Sarah Orne Jewett the main character Sylvia finds her self conflicted when she finally breaks out of her comfort zone to try to please a stranger her and her Grandmother invited over. She has to decide whether to please a new charming stranger by showing him a bird to hunt or to go with her moral gut and save this rare bird. In the second short story Everyday Use by Alice Walker we see that Dee the oldest daughter comes back home to visit her mother and younger sister Maggie. When Dee stays with her family again she demands to take certain items from the house such as the family quilt but yet she ridicules her family’s roots and heritage at the same time.
I liked these two stories but for different reasons. I appreciated A White Heron because it encourages the reader to look back on their morals and see if their minds would change by the influence of another person. I feel like this story is good to teach students regarding moral dilemma. There is no content warning for this story. I enjoyed Everyday Use because of the valuable lesson it teaches on respecting your family and being proud of who you are. This story gives the reader the idea that you need to be grateful for both you and your family past. This story as well has no content warning.
Other: Short Stories
In the text Literature A Pocket Anthology by R.S. Gwynn we find short stories in here about conflict and appreciation. In the first short story A White Heron by Sarah Orne Jewett the main character Sylvia finds her self conflicted when she finally breaks out of her comfort zone to try to please a stranger her and her Grandmother invited over. She has to decide whether to please a new charming stranger by showing him a bird to hunt or to go with her moral gut and save this rare bird. In the second short story Everyday Use by Alice Walker we see that Dee the oldest daughter comes back home to visit her mother and younger sister Maggie. When Dee stays with her family again she demands to take certain items from the house such as the family quilt but yet she ridicules her family’s roots and heritage at the same time.
I liked these two stories but for different reasons. I appreciated A White Heron because it encourages the reader to look back on their morals and see if their minds would change by the influence of another person. I feel like this story is good to teach students regarding moral dilemma. There is no content warning for this story. I enjoyed Everyday Use because of the valuable lesson it teaches on respecting your family and being proud of who you are. This story gives the reader the idea that you need to be grateful for both you and your family past. This story as well has no content warning.
February 10, 2014
This review is for the 5th edition of Literature: A Pocket Anthology. I chose this text for a course on a critical approach to literature, and love the selection of poems and short stories in particular. For my students, this text is at the right price point, and we'll make great use of the book as a whole.
BUT!
The indexing was done horribly and is basically unreliable. For example, "Daddy" by Sylvia Plath is listed as page 634, when it is actually pages 706-708. I have bumped into this several times during our study of poetry, and it's somewhat problematic. If students are looking up a poem by title without an author's name handy, they really have no hope of finding the poem if the index has listed it incorrectly.
Also, the "index of authors, titles, and first lines of poems" omits a number of poems (both by title and first line), and even some authors. And the page errors continue for the authors as well -- Walt Whitman is listed as page 60, but he's actually on 560. Boo! I would strongly suggest that Pearson use both an indexing program and a human eye on their future editions.
Actually, I would be happy to be that human eye, so go ahead and message me, Pearson. I would consider it a gift/responsibility to humanity and would do this free of charge.
BUT!
The indexing was done horribly and is basically unreliable. For example, "Daddy" by Sylvia Plath is listed as page 634, when it is actually pages 706-708. I have bumped into this several times during our study of poetry, and it's somewhat problematic. If students are looking up a poem by title without an author's name handy, they really have no hope of finding the poem if the index has listed it incorrectly.
Also, the "index of authors, titles, and first lines of poems" omits a number of poems (both by title and first line), and even some authors. And the page errors continue for the authors as well -- Walt Whitman is listed as page 60, but he's actually on 560. Boo! I would strongly suggest that Pearson use both an indexing program and a human eye on their future editions.
Actually, I would be happy to be that human eye, so go ahead and message me, Pearson. I would consider it a gift/responsibility to humanity and would do this free of charge.
October 29, 2008
an anthology of wonderful short stories and classic poetry perfectly filtered for the convenient and inconsistent literature buff like myself. Excellent writing, low commitment, and classic reading in small doses. What is not to love?!
September 27, 2007
text book for into to crit. and lit. studies
October 12, 2008
great selection of contemporary poetry. Eclectic, international, wide-ranging choices of writers and materials. Really highly recommended!
December 7, 2012
I had to read for class it wasn't bad had good stories and plays! The poem section was not my favorite but otherwise I enjoyed it. Learned a lot about Literature that's for sure!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews