The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Normally used to describe overburden removed during strip mining. These operations leave long rows of intermixed rock and soil, commonly described as spoil banks. Often composed of loose shale and placed downhill from the final cut, they block outflow, forming lakes, and in level terrain store large amounts of groundwater. Prior to the 1977 enactment of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, these man-made landforms were often abandoned, creating a distinctive landscape. Efforts are now made to reclaim these aptly-named "orphan" lands. However, unless properly done, reclamation may exacerbate erosion;in such cases they are best left undisturbed. Trees often lead the succession, perhaps hastening the day when effective reclamation might be feasible.