Discusses the dissociation of two kinds of tragedy, melodramatic and moral. (SW)

Explains why the American views of optimism and progress are impediments to the teaching of literature. Tells how the teaching of tragic fiction can help students deal with important philosophical and aesthetic issues. (RL)

Confronted with the problems imposed by the stage presentation and interpretation of ancient Greek theatre to contemporary audiences, scholars have developed four major approaches to the presentation of Greek drama over the past 70 years. The first approach, referred to as modificationist or realist, claims that communicating ancient Greek drama…

Despite reservations about the significance of "The Pearl" in relation to John Steinbeck's other works, a case can be made for the novel as an effective exemplification of the Greek tragic form, which Steinbeck has adapted for his own realistic purposes. Although the protagonist Kino lacks high rank and eloquence, he possesses the tragic…

Explores the theme that the suffering arising from Richard II's loss of power, a power that consisted more of appearance than of intrinsic worth, led him to spiritual growth and the development of real value as a person. (MB)

Discusses the character of Claudius in "Hamlet" to determine the character's sincerity. (DF)

Philosopher Nicholas Burbules' believed the tragedy of education was that in striving to educate, some teachers would inevitably fail some students, changing the students' lives tragically. The article analyzes the tragic sense of education that summons teachers to recollect more deeply the cause that started them on their endeavor. (SM)

Teachers' dismissal of Robert Cormier's books as "too depressing" suggests a lack of sound critical understanding of his work and a lack of faith in individual young people. The body of adolescent or young adult literature has come a long way in recent years. The writing has shown a much fuller range of literary quality and the content…