A Multicultural Dictionary of Literary Terms

by Gary Carey, Mary Ellen Snodgrass

Overview

What is a corrido? What is the difference between a tanka, a choka and a renga? What does it mean when you're doing the dozens? What is a Bildungsroman?

This dictionary of literary terms provides the student, scholar, librarian, or researcher with definitions, explanations, and models of the styles and forms of works of literature. Along with novel, tone, tragedy, and scansion are haiku, noh, griot, and other terms that derive from works long undervalued by the literary world. The examples come from a very broad field of authors--reflecting a spirit of inclusion of all people, races and literary traditions. The editors have elected to quote from literary examples that students are likely to have read and to which they most readily relate (for instance, Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was preferred over a work such as Paradise Lost, which fewer students have read and understand). Included is a listing of poets laureate to the Library of Congress, literature winners of the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes, Booker McConnell Prize winners, a time line of world literature and an index.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786429509
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	11/17/2006
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.38(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

At the time of his death in 2006 Cliffs Notes editor Gary Carey lived in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mary Ellen Snodgrass is an award-winning author of English and Latin textbooks and reference works for 40 years. She taught at Hickory High School and Lenoir Rhyne University in North Carolina for 23 years. Her writing focuses on women’s and world literature and history and general research topics, including epidemics, the history of money, clothing, food, and dance. She lives in Hickory, North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Preface     
Introduction     

THE DICTIONARY     

Appendix A: Literary Prize Winners     
Appendix B: Time Line of World Literature     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

a one-of-a-kind reference...highly recommended”—Library Journal; “informative…useful”—Reference Reviews; “[an] exceptional number of illustrative examples drawn from a broad chronological, geographical, and cultural spectrum and covering nonfiction works as well as novels, poetry, and other imaginative writings”—Booklist; “accolades go to Carey and Snodgrass for this unique and expansive approach...an ideal tool for teachers and librarians interested in making a literature/book connection with students”—VOYA; “the significant element of this book is...its explanation of terms. By reaching out to the cultures that have diversified curricula, its authors have created a useful supplement”—Rettig on Reference; “many terms from non–Western literatures...appropriate for high schools and lower-level college”—MultiCultural Review.

From the Publisher

The advent of multiculturalism in the 1980s expanded the standard repertory of literary classics, but also created an information chasm over the plethora of modes of expression. With entries defining and giving examples of katauta, makta, and tz'u from non-Western traditions; a wider cultural perspective on more familiar terms; 20th century literary prize winners; and a time line of world literature commencing in 1350 BC, this reference by author Snodgrass and Cliff Notes editor Carey facilitates global literary adventures. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Booknews

[an] exceptional number of illustrative examples drawn from a broad chronological, geographical, and cultural spectrum and covering nonfiction works as well as novels, poetry, and other imaginative writings

Booklist

informative...useful

Reference Reviews

a one-of-a-kind reference...highly recommended

Library Journal