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.
The attempt by an individual organism or group of organisms to control a specified area. The area or territory, once controlled, is usually bound by some kind of marker (such as a scent or a fence). Control of territory usually means defense of that territory, primarily against other members of the same species. This defense, which may or may not be aggressive, typically involves threats, displays of superior features (e.g., size or color), or displays of fighting equipment (e.g., teeth, claws, antlers). Actual physical combat is relatively rare. A songbird establishes its territory by vigorous singing and will chase intruders away during the mating and nesting season. A leopard (Panthera pardus) marks the boundaries of its territory with urine and will defend this area from other leopards of the same sex. Territoriality is found in many organisms, probably including humans, and it serves several purposes. It may provide a good nesting or breeding site and a sufficient feeding or hunting area to support offspring. It may also protect a female from males other than her mate during the mating season.