Literature - Structure, sound, and sense - Fourth Edition

Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense was first published in the 1960s as a comprehensive anthology designed for introductory college literature courses. Laurence Perrine, a professor at Southern Methodist University, authored the text with the intent of providing students with a structured framework for analyzing fiction, poetry, and drama. The fourth edition, published in 1983 by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, maintained this pedagogical mission, emphasizing close reading and the identification of literary devices as tools for understanding thematic depth.

The design of the volume reflects the academic standards of the era, prioritizing clarity and readability for a student audience. By organizing selections based on structural elements rather than chronological history, Perrine’s work diverged from many traditional anthologies of the time. The book achieved significant longevity and wide adoption in American secondary and post-secondary classrooms, often serving as a primary source for students learning to balance the emotional impact of literature with rigorous formal analysis.