Publications
Student's Encyclopedia of American Literary Characters , which Library Journal named a "Best Reference Source, 2008," is a four-volume set that includes 1000 word essays on approximately 900 memorable characters from American fiction, drama, and poetry. John Cusatis contributed thirty-nine essays to this highly praised, one-of-a-kind reference set. Essays are followed by 3-5 discussion questions and a short list of suggested further reading.
Signed Entries by John Cusatis:
Truman Capote
"A Christmas Memory"
"Buddy" Volume 1, 153-155
Stephen Crane
"The Open Boat"
"The Correspondent" Volume 1, 251-253
The Red Badge of Courage
"Henry Fleming" Volume 1, 253-255
Ralph Ellision
Invisible Man
"Unnamed Protaganist" Volume 1, 332-334
Ring Lardner
"Champion"
"Midge Kelly" Volume 2, 746-748
You Know Me, Al
"Jack Keefe" Volume 2, 746-748
Jack London
Martin Eden
"Martin Eden" Volume 2, 795-796
"Ruth Morris" Volume 2, 796-798
The Sea-Wolf
"Wolf Larsen" Volume 2, 792-793
"Humphrey Van Weyden" Volume 2, 793-795
Frank Norris
McTeague
"Mac McTeague" Volume 3, 928-929
"Trina Sieppe" Volume 3, 930-931
Joyce Carol Oates
"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been"
"Connie" Volume 3, 935-936
"Arnold Friend" Volume 3, 936-938
Flannery O'Connor
"The Artificial Nigger"
"Mr. Head" Volume 3, 944-946
"Nelson" Volume 3, 946-947
"Everything That Rises Must Converge"
"Julian Chestny" Volume 3, 948-949
"Good Country People"
"Hulga Hopewell" Volume 3, 949-951
"Arnold Friend" Volume 3, 951-952
"A Good Man Is Hard To Find"
"The Grandmother" Volume 3, 952-954
"Greenleaf"
"Mrs. May" Volume 3, 954-955
"Revelation"
"Ruby Turpin" Volume 3, 955-957
The Violent Bear It Away
"Francis Marion Tarwater" Volume 3, 957-959
Wise Blood
"Hazel Motes" Volume 3, 959-961
Edwin Arlinton Robinson
"Luke Havergal"
"Luke Havergal" Volume 3, 1103-1104
"Miniver Cheevy"
"Miniver Cheevy" Volume 3, 1104-1105
"Mr. Flood's Party"
"Eben Flood" Volume 3, 1106-1107
"Richard Cory"
"Richard Cory" Volume 3, 1107-1109
Philip Roth
"Defender of the Faith"
"Private Sheldon Grossbart" Volume 3, 1119-1121
"Seargent Nathan Marks" Volume 3, 1121-1122"The Artificial Nigger"
"Eli, The Fanatic"
"Eli Peck" Volume 3, 1122-1124
John Updike
"Pigeon Feathers"
"David Kern" Volume 4, 1302-1304
Nathanael West
A Cool Million or, The Dismantling of Lemuel Pitkin
"Lemuel Pitkin" Volume 4, 1363-1365
"Betty Prail" Volume 4, 1365-1366
The Day of the Locust
"Faye Greener" Volume 4, 1366-1368
"Tod Hackett" Volume 4, 1368-1369
"Homer Simpson" Volume 4, 1369-1371
"...these clearly written, authoritative essays will be a boon to high school researchers." -SLJ Curriculum Connections
"...an excellent selection from the canon of classic and contemporary American authors. The language is uniformly clear and jargon-free. Recommended for larger libraries, especially those catering to students engaged in literary study." -Booklist
"This clearly organized reference work will be a welcome addition to high school libraries. Recommended." -Library Media Connection
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