Discusses teaching J. Austen's "Emma" in light of the issue of happiness in order to make the novel more interesting to students who do not like Emma, the character. Suggests that the multiplicity of questions raised by Austen will provide sufficient material for discussion. (SRT)

Notes that the hopeful threads binding Herman Melville's book "The Confidence-Man" also weave a valuable lesson for literature PhDs considering their career options. Suggests that the values crucial to a teacher or scholar are also crucial to those who work outside the university: willingness to entertain other points of view and an…

Clarifies the three forms--compensatory, justificatory, and transformational--that feminist criticism usually takes and, in particular, how it applies to Shakespeare studies. Examines some women's roles in Shakespeare's plays and the effect of feminist criticism on interpretations of these characters. (JC)