This title examines the role and theme of the fall from grace archetype in The Crucible, Crime and Punishment, Frankenstein, Things Fall Apart, and Macbeth. It features four analysis papers that consider the fall from grace theme, each using different critical lenses, writing techniques, or aspects of the theme. Critical thinking questions, sidebars highlighting and explaining each thesis and argument, and other possible approaches for analysis help students understand the mechanics of essay writing. Features include a glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Ch. 1. Introduction to themes in literature -- Ch. 2. An overview of The Crucible -- Ch. 3. Moral compass in The Crucible -- Ch. 4. An overview of Crime and punishment -- Ch. 5. Biblical fall in Crime and punishment -- Ch. 6. An overview of Frankenstein -- Ch. 7. A cautionary tale -- Ch. 8. An overview of Things fall apart and Macbeth -- Ch. 9. Fall of the tragic hero.