Does the Center Hold?: An Introduction to Western Philosophy

This thematic introduction to literature is distinguished by its inclusion of both traditional and contemporary writers, writers from the British and American tradition, ethnic writers from the United States, and writers from other cultures. A newly revised pedagogy highlights brevity, clarity, and accuracy, providing simple and effective strategies for reading and writing about literature. Readers are asked to observe, reflect on, and comment upon the social, political, and cultural aspects of the literature being examined in order to develop a thorough understanding without filtering through too much technical writing. The literature itself is organized thematically into units, each including stories, poems, and plays arranged in clusters to provoke personal, analytical, and critical responses. For those interested in studying literature from other cultures.