Christian Guide to the Classics

Leland Ryken's A Christian Guide to the Classics provides an overarching introduction to reading and enjoying the great works of literature. Addressing common misconceptions as well as how not to read the classics, this short book perfectly introduces the reasons why these books should be read, the importance of the Bible, Christian & secular classics, and where to find them. A perfect introduction to an often-intimidating task! 102 pages, softcover.

Pull everything you can out of the classics!

Leland Ryken provides a clear pathway to understanding the "Great Works" through this engaging series of short guidebooks. Beginning with "why the classics matter" and "how to read a story," readers will find a helpful path to reading and analyzing influential works in the Western canon. Evaluating the text from a distinctly Christian perspective, this guide to Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter includes commentary, points out scriptural allusions and biblical subtext, summarizes the plot, and examines Hawthorne's use of symbolism.

Christian Guide to the Classics books provide:

• An introduction to the author and work
• An explanation of the cultural context
• Published criticism
• Definitions of key literary terms
• Discussion questions
• Resources for further study

  73 pages, softcover. High School-Adult.

Pull everything you can out of the classics!

Leland Ryken provides a clear pathway to understanding the "Great Works" through this engaging series of short guidebooks. Beginning with "why the classics matter" and "how to read a story," readers will find a helpful path to reading and analyzing influential works in the Western canon. Evaluating the text from a distinctly Christian perspective, this guide to Shakespeare's Hamlet includes commentary, points out scriptural allusions and biblical subtext, summarizes the plot, and discusses the various theories of the Bard's most famous play.

Christian Guide to the Classics books provide:

• An introduction to the author and work

• An explanation of the cultural context
• Published criticism
• Definitions of key literary terms
• Discussion questions
• Resources for further study

83 pages, softcover. High School-Adult.

Pull everything you can out of the classics!

Leland Ryken provides a clear pathway to understanding the "Great Works" through this engaging series of short guidebooks. Evaluating the text from a distinctly Christian perspective, this guide to Shakespeare's Macbeth includes commentary, points out scriptural allusions and biblical subtext, summarizes the plot, and provides notes on the composition of scenes.

Christian Guide to the Classics books provide:

• An introduction to the author and work
• An explanation of the cultural context
• Published criticism
• Definitions of key literary terms
• Discussion questions
• Resources for further study

  75 pages, softcover. High School-Adult.

Pull everything you can out of the classics!

Leland Ryken provides a clear pathway to understanding the "Great Works" through this engaging series of short guidebooks. Beginning with "why the classics matter" and "how to read a story," readers will find a helpful path to reading and analyzing influential works in the Western canon. Evaluating the text from a distinctly Christian perspective, this guide to Milton's Paradise Lost includes commentary, points out scriptural allusions and biblical subtext, summarizes sections of lines, and examines Milton's nuanced use of language.

Christian Guide to the Classics books provide:

• An introduction to the author and work
• An explanation of the cultural context
• Published criticism
• Definitions of key literary terms
• Discussion questions
• Resources for further study

  93 pages, softcover. High School-Adult.

Pull everything you can out of the classics!

Leland Ryken provides a clear pathway to understanding the "Great Works" through this engaging series of short guidebooks. Beginning with "why the classics matter" and "how to read a story," readers will find a helpful path to reading and analyzing influential works in the Western canon. Evaluating the text from a distinctly Christian perspective, this guide to Homer's The Odyssey includes commentary, points out scriptural allusions and biblical subtext, summarizes the plot, and examines the mythological background of The Odyssey.

Christian Guide to the Classics books provide:

• An introduction to the author and work
• An explanation of the cultural context
• Published criticism
• Definitions of key literary terms
• Discussion questions
• Resources for further study

  78 pages, softcover. High School-Adult.

Pull everything you can out of the classics!

Leland Ryken provides a clear pathway to understanding the "Great Works" through this engaging series of short guidebooks. Evaluating the included selection of poetry from a distinctly Christian perspective, this guide to the devotional poetry of Donne, Herbert, and Milton includes commentary on the work, including Scriptural allusions, and provides prompts for reflection and discussion.

As devotional poetry is a different format than a single work, this Christian Guide to the Classics format differs slightly from other books in the series. In this guide:

• The poems themselves are included, making this a selective anthology

• Instead of a "plot summary," each poem is preceded by a section of tips for reading, such a summary of content and structure
• A partial explication of the poetic texture follow each poem
• Marginal notes only define difficult or archaic words that appear in a poem
• Discussion questions are included
• In lieu of an author and "fact sheet" this guide provides introductory pages for each poet at the beginning of their section.
• Resources for further study are included

95 pages, softcover. High School-Adult.

Pull everything you can out of the classics!

Leland Ryken provides a clear pathway to understanding the "Great Works" through this engaging series of short guidebooks. Beginning with "why the classics matter" and "how to read a story," readers will find a helpful path to reading and analyzing influential works in the Western canon. Evaluating the text from a distinctly Christian perspective, this guide to Dickens' Great Exp ectations includes commentary, points out various literary devices, summarizes the plot, and examines Dickens' storytelling techniques.

Each book in the Christian Guide to the Classics series provides:

• An introduction to the author and work

• An explanation of the cultural context
• Published criticism
• Definitions of key literary terms
• Discussion questions
• Resources for further study

119 pages, softcover. High School-Adult.