The Gilded Age and Progressive Era ─ A Historical Exploration of Literature

This anthology with extra readings is designed to help students understand works of American literature from two periods. Part 1 opens with an introduction to the social, political, and literary milieu of the Gilded Age. This section presents two pieces: A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, and “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. For each piece, the book offers a synopsis, historical background, background on the author, and many excerpts from primary sources giving insight on related historical background and themes of the piece. Suggested readings are also provided. Part 2 presents two pieces from the Progressive Era: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, and A Lost Lady by Willa Cather, along with supplementary background and readings as in Part 1. The book also contains a chronology from 1865 to 1920. B&w historical photos throughout spark reader interest. Annotation c2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)

Wendy Martin is professor of American literature and American studies and director of the Tufts Poetry Awards Program at Claremont Graduate University.

Cecelia Tichi is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of English at Vanderbilt University.