Technicalities

Approach

Though most anthologies and classics come with a preface or introduction, I have decided to make a point of not reading them before I read the actual work. 

The reason is simple: I want to read the work without prior knowledge of any historical or personal notes about the time or author. This serves two purposes.

ONE: Back in the day, when these works first appeared, people read the story (or play) "cold," without a written prompt or foreword. So it feels a bit more authentic to just pick up the work and read it for pleasure and curiosity, rather than reading the story and picking apart what section alludes to what history as I go along.

SECOND: As part of THE CHALLENGE, I have pledged to do significant research into various essays that will use various forms of literary critique. Some of those forms will dwell on nothing BUT the various historical connections with the text and then-contemporary events, while other forms will shun the very idea of attaching the text to anything resembling history. Thus, avoiding any forwards or introductions which are full of their own ideas as well as historical facts will help keep me as unbiased as possible.

That being said, I will begin each reading with a 'Stats' section, including date of publication, genre, author, and a copy of the Table of Contents, where applicable. I will do my best to make some sort of structure out of summarizing the works, but that depends on how long the works are and how detailed the plots. 

At the end of each classic, I will post another 'Stats' sheet with main characters' names, roles, and my own impression of their character. This should make comparing all the versions easier... In theory.

Now... Onward! 

"Mephistopheles" by Mark Antokolski, 1884.