CRITICISM of an Author
The easiest way to find critical analyses of an author's works is to search the author's name and the word "criticism" in the Subject metadata field of the Powell Library Discovery Catalog. Like this
su:douglass criticism
su:dickinson criticism
su:paine criticism
NOTE: The catalog search engine is not case sensitive so no need to worry about capitalizing anything.
CRITICISM of a Work
It may be possible to find criticisms of very popular/well known works of literature by using the title, keywords or phrase from the title, as a subject. Like this:
su:huckleberry finn criticism
su:purloined letter criticism
su:"leaves of grass" criticism
VIEWS
To find resources discussing the political and social views of an author or work search the author's name or the title of the work and the words "views in the Subject field. Like this:
su:"oliver twist" views
su:dickens views
NOTE: Generally the last name is sufficient, however for very common names it may be expedient to include the first name.
NOTE: For a more comprehensive search, it may be necessary to search both the author and then the title.
SYMBOLISM
To find symbolism as it is used in literature or by a particular author search:
su:symbolism literature
su:hemingway symbolism
CHARACTERS
To find information about characters in literature search "characters characteristics literature" in the subject field or use the author's name and the word "characters"
su:characters characteristics literature
su:hughes langston characters
THEMES & MOTIVES
To find information about the themes and motives of a literary work or author search "themes" in the subject field.
su:o'connor themes
su:wuthering heights themes
HISTORY
To find the historical context of a work or author add "history" to the author's name or the title. Like this:
su:"lord of the rings" history
su:tolkien history
POLITICAL SOCIAL CONSTRAINTS
To find information on political aspects and social constraints of women and men throughout the centuries search:
su:women social conditions
su:women political aspects
su:men social conditions 17th century
su:men political aspects great britain 16th century
su:women united states social conditions 19th century
su:women united states political 20th century
WOMEN
For information on women in literature use these Subject headings:
su:women in literature
su:femininity in literature
su:women and literature
su:women and literature 19th century
su:gender identity in literature
su:sex roles in literature
MEN
For information on men in literature use these Subject headings:
su:men in literature
su:masculinity in literature
su:male friendship in literature
LITERATURE THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES
Any century can be used with any subject heading, i.e., 2nd, 5th, 14th, 17th, 21st, etc. as needed.
For ancient times use these: "to 30 b.c.", "to 100", "to 221 b.c.", "to 500 b.c.", antiquities, ancient, and classical.
su: literature "to 30 b.c."
su: literature "to 221 b.c."
Last updated November 2024.
With the Refining options to the left of the results list, you can focus the results to only those articles that are from peer reviewed journals as well as by Year of Publication, Academic Discipline and Language. See Figure 1 below.
Limiting the results by date will zero in on current discussions of a work or author like the Huckleberry Finn controversy.
Figure 1
You can find many more related subjects by selecting the title of work that appears useful (see Fig. 2); then scroll down to the Subjects (see Fig. 3). Here you will find additional subject headings that can either expand your search or focus your search.
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Last updated November 2024.