The Literary Encyclopedia

The Literary Encyclopedia is an authoritative collection of specially commissioned articles written by scholars expert in their fields. It addresses literary works, writers, cultural movements and historical events around the world. Its interactive features enable the user to place literature within its historical context in innovative ways.

If have told you in detail about Asteroid B612 and given you its precise number it is because of the grown-ups. Grown-ups love numbers. When you talk to them about a new friend, they don’t ask you about what really matters. The never ask you “What is his voice like? What games does he prefer? Does he collect butterflies?” They ask you “How old is he? How many brothers has he got? How much does he weigh? How much does his father earn?” It is only thus that they believe they can know him.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince (1940)