Literary Theory

Literary Theory is the first comprehensive introduction to the practice of literary theory. It demonstrates how the full panoply of theoretical approaches, from Formalism and Structuralism to Post-Modernism and Gender and Gay/Lesbian Studies, can all be used to read the same texts -- King Lear, Henry James' novella'The Aspern Papers', and a selection of Elizabeth Bishop's poems. Each chapter consists of readings of all three texts through the optic of a single theory or method. The texts are read from every critical perspective. As a result, this unique book clearly illustrates the significant practical differences between contending literary theories and approaches, from Formalism, Structuralism, Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction, Psychoanalysis, Marxism, Feminism, and Historicism to Gender and Gay/Lesbian Studies, Ethnic Criticism, Post-Colonial Studies, and Post-Modernism. The book also contains chapters on Cultural Studies and Film Studies, with readings of Mildred Pierce and Pulp Fiction.