Through an understanding of art forms in the context of cultural meaning, Lakatos (literature, creative process, and composition; Western Connecticut State U.) introduces the semiotic theory of iconic realism, which she warns is not to be confused with iconic realists and iconic realism in the philosophical literature. An icon, she explains, is a signifier that is perceived as resembling or imitating what it signifies. She argues that placing an iconic object or person in a realistic setting where it does not usually appear creates a static coalescence of the icon with the designated realism. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)