Edgar Allan Poe is regarded as America's first great literary critic, its first real literary critic, its first literary influence in Europe, a superb lyric poet, and the father of the detective mystery story. He is also considered the founder of a certain type of fiction, a "literature of the nerves," the influence of which can be seen in such writers as Franz Kafka, Nathanael West, and Stephen King. This unit follows the course of Poe's life and shows the elegance of his poetry and prose.

In addition to the program narrative and visuals, the newly available CD-ROM version of this unit also contains many interactive features. These include examination of Poe's life through a look at his literary and historical age, text files of his major literary works, a variety of fun student activities (rebuses, seek-and-find games, jigsaw-style puzzles), comprehensive testing capabilities, and timelines of Poe's life, literary age, and historical era. The school version also contains a complete curriculum package of teacher support materials.

The comic realism of Mark Twain might be the most representative note in America's literary tradition, and that it is streaked with hopelessness and despair speaks not only of the man from Missouri, but also of almost anyone who has ever laughed at his stories. This unit examines Twain's fundamental outlook and attitudes, traces his literary influences, and outlines the major theme of his works, with a concentrated look at that mythic figure of Huck Finn.

In addition to the program narrative and visuals, the newly available CD-ROM version of this unit also contains many interactive features. These include examination of Twain's life through a look at his literary and historical age, text files of his major literary works, a variety of fun student activities (rebuses, puzzles, seek-and-find games), comprehensive testing capabilities, and timelines of Twain's life, literary age, and historical era. The school version also contains a complete curriculum package of teacher support materials.

Too often, Emily Dickinson is seen as an eccentric, white-garbed recluse who composed verse among the lilacs. First and foremost, however, Dickinson was a grand poet, a poet whose entire life was reflected, shaped, and probed in her work. Dickinson's nearly 2,000 poems are not the recordings of a cowering victim, but of an intense and perceptive talent. This production highlights Dickinson's life and major works.

In addition to the program narrative and visuals, the newly available CD-ROM version of this unit also contains many interactive features. These include examination of Dickinson's life through a look at her literary and historical age, text files of her major literary works, a variety of fun student activities (jigsaw puzzles, seek-and-find games, rebuses), comprehensive testing capabilities, and timelines of Dickinson's life, literary age, and historical era. The school version also contains a complete curriculum package of teacher support materials.