Study Guides for Important Novels

These tips will give you a greater understanding of literature and prepare you for any test.

1. Read the novel. "But wait," exclaims the corner-cutting student. "The whole purpose of using the study guide is to save time." Novel study guides are more effective as a supplement to the novel, not as a substitute.
2. Don't treat the novel study guide as a novel. Novel study guides are boring, more boring than the actual book.
3. Read the summaries and chapter analyses before class discussions to refresh your memory or to review for a test.
4. Don't assume the study guide's interpretation is the only interpretation or even a correct interpretation. Challenge what you read.
5. Use the guides as a reference. When your teacher assigns an essay, for example, that requires character analysis or the interpretation of symbols, use the study guide as a source.
6. Get them free on the Internet. Bright Hub, Sparknotes, Cliffnotes, and Bookrags give free access to hundreds of study guides.

Following are common novels taught in high schools and colleges. Each novel is linked to its corresponding study guide.

• Lord of the Flies Study Guide - Marooned on an island in the south Pacific, children get a little carried away and start killing each other. The Lord of the Flies study guide contains chapter summaries, symbols, themes, characters, allusions, important quotes, and analysis. Teachers looking for Lord of the Flies lesson plans can find them here.
• Frankenstein Study Guide - Victor Frankenstein's quest for immortality dooms his family. The Frankenstein study guide contains chapter summaries, characters, quotes, allusions, and analysis. Teachers can find great Frankenstein lesson plans as well.
• Great Expectations Study Guide - Pip goes from a lovable boy to a snooty teenager to a mature adult. The Great Expectations study guide includes a summary of all 59 chapters, character descriptions, themes and analysis, and a look at Dickens' writing style. Teachers can find Great Expectations lesson plans as well.
• Fahrenheit 451 Study Guide - Guy Montag goes from book burner to book reader with the help of his strange neighbor and a weirdo at the park. The Fahrenheit 451 study guide contains summaries of each section, study guide questions, character descriptions with analysis, a look at figurative language, and an explanation of symbols. Teachers can find Ray Bradbury lesson plans as well.
• Of Mice and Men Study Guide - George and Lennie tramp about California during the depression, going from job to job in hopes of earning enough money to buy a farm of their own. The Of Mice and Men Study Guide contains chapter summaries, characters, themes, quotes and study questions. Teachers can find Of Mice and Men lesson plans here. If you're a student and you think your teacher needs help, click on the lesson plans, print them out, and put them on your teacher's desk.
• Things Fall Apart Study Guide - Okonkwo fails to adapt to a changing world before and after the arrival of European missionaries. The Things Fall Apart Study Guide includes chapter summaries, character analysis, themes in the novel, quotes from the novel, and essay questions and answers about the novel.
• The Great Gatsby Study Guide - Jay Gatsby goes to extremes to win back his former lover. The Great Gatsby study guide contains an explanation of symbols, characters, quotes, and themes in the novel. There is also a list of study questions. Teachers can find The Great Gatsby lesson ideas here. If you're a student and you think your teacher needs help, click on the lesson plans, print them out, and put them on your teacher's desk.

• 1984 Study Guide - Big Brother is watching and it's worse than it sounds. The 1984 study guide contains chapter summaries, character analysis, quotes, discussion questions and examples of irony. Teachers can find 1984 lesson plans here.
• Red Badge of Courage Study Guide - Henry Fleming joins the army and soon discovers it's not all fun and games. The Red Badge of Courage Study Guide contains chapter summaries, symbolism analysis, study questions, themes, and quotations.
• Old Man and the Sea Study Guide - Santiago finally catches a fish, but there's a slight problem. Sharks want it too. The Old Man and the Sea Study Guide includes a look at symbolism, chapter summaries, character analysis and more.
• The Scarlet Letter Study Guide - Avoid the Scarlet 'F' by reviewing The Scarlet Letter Study Guide, which includes chapter summaries, symbol analysis, character analysis, famous quotes, and study questions. If you'd like to convince your teacher not to teach this novel next year, print out my review of The Scarlet Letter.