Cliffs Notes are study guides designed to assist students in studying great works of literature. Not a substitute for the original work, they are intended to be used as supplements to enhance the learning process. The guides seek to help students understand the overall structure of the work, understand the actions and motivations of the characters, and examine the author's social and cultural perspectives. Features of the series include: a biography of the author; an introduction to the work; summaries and/or critical commentaries; glossaries, genealogies and/or maps; character analysis; supplementary critical essays; review questions and suggested essay topics; bibliographies; and a list of characters.