How do famous literary quotations function within the broader context of the works from which they originate? This reference work, compiled by Frank N. Magill, provides detailed analyses of significant passages from world literature. By examining the speaker, the situation, and the thematic importance of specific lines, the text offers a framework for understanding how isolated quotes contribute to the structural and philosophical integrity of their parent texts.

Experts and librarians frequently cite this series as a standard reference tool for students and researchers seeking to verify the origin and meaning of famous literary lines. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which prioritizes scholarly accuracy over casual readability.