The American Novel helps students better understand and appreciate literature through a close examination of great short passages in classic works. Offering interpretations of selected passages from 150 great American novels, this new, two-volume set is curriculum-oriented and perfectly designed for student use. Each passage is reprinted along with a detailed analysis, which is then followed by a variety of questions designed to inspire further thinking or discussion of the passage. This comprehensive work is designed not only to facilitate comprehension of these particular passages, but also to teach students the techniques they need in order to understand any great and complicated passage of American literature.