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Introducing Literary Theories : A Guide and Glossary

Introducing Literary Theories : A Guide and Glossary

Author: Julian Wolfreys
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Publication Date: 01 Apr 2002
ISBN-13: 9780748614837
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Description


Introducing Literary Theories is an ideal introduction for those coming to literary theory for the first time. It provides an accessible introduction to the major theoretical approaches in chapters covering: Bakhtinian Criticism, Structuralism, Feminist Theory, Marxist Literary Theories, Reader-Response Theories, Psychoanalytic Criticism, Deconstruction, Poststructuralism, New Historicism, Cultural Materialism, Postcolonial Theory, Gay Studies/ Queer Theories, Cultural Studies and Postmodernism. A table of contents arranged by theoretical method and a second arranged by key texts offer the reader alternative pathways through the volume and a general introduction, which traces the history and importance of literary theory, complete the introductory material. In each of the following chapters, the authors provide a clear presentation of the theory in question and notes towards a reading of a key text to help the student understand both the methodology and the practice of literary theory. The texts used for illustration include: In Memoriam A. H. H.,
Middlemarch, Mrs Dalloway, Paradise Lost, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Prospero's Books, The Swimming Pool Library and The Tempest. Every chapter ends with a set of questions for further consideration, an annotated bibliography and a supplementary bibliography while a glossary of critical terms completes the book. Derived and adapted from the successful foundation textbook, Literary Theories: A Reader and Guide, Introducing Literary Theories is a highly readable, self-contained and comprehensive guide that succeeds in making contemporary theory easily understandable.
Each chapter provides: ~ An overview of the theory ~ Notes towards readings of canonical literary texts ~ Questions for further consideration ~ An annotated bibliography ~ A supplementary bibliography Features Complex ideas are clearly explained A double table of contents provides different ways of navigating through the volume Coverage of the theories is balanced with analysis of key texts Questions at the end of each chapter direct the reader to consider further theoretical matters and to making theoretically informed readings of literary texts Includes full guidance about further reading Offers an ideal guide for students at all levels who are new to literary theory as well as general readers * Provides a Glossary of critical terms for easy reference


Table of Contents


Contents; Preface and Acknowledgements; Abbreviations of Works Cited; Introduction, Julian Wolfreys; 1. R. Brandon Kershner: Mikhail Bakhtin and Bakhtinian criticism; Notes towards a reading of A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 2. K.M. Newton: Roland Barthes and structuralist criticism; Notes towards a reading of Middlemarch; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 3. Ruth Robbins: Will the real feminist theory please stand up?; Notes towards readings of Mrs Dalloway and Middlemarch; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 4. Moyra Haslett: The politics of literature: Marxist Literary Theories; Notes towards a reading of Mrs Dalloway; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 5. Martin McQuillan: There is no such thing as reader-response theory; Notes towards a reading of Mrs Dalloway; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 6. Jill Barker: The self, the other, and the text: Psychoanalytic Criticism; Notes towards a reading of The Tempest; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 7. Julian Wolfreys: Deconstruction, what remains unread; Notes towards a reading of In Memoriam A.H.H.; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 8. Mark Currie: Criticism and creativity: Poststructuralist Theories; Notes towards a reading of Mrs Dalloway; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 9. John Brannigan: History, power, and politics in the literary artifact: New Historicism; Notes towards readings of The Tempest & In Memoriam A.H.H; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 10. John Brannigan: Conflict and contradiction: Cultural Materialism; Notes towards readings of The Tempest & In Memoriam A.H.H; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 11. Gail Low & Julian Wolfreys: Postcolonialism and the difficulty of; difference; Notes towards readings of The Tempest & The Swimming-Pool Library; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 12. Jane Goldman & Julian Wolfreys: Works on the Wild(e) side - performing,; transgressing, queering: Gay Studies/Queer Theories; Notes towards a reading of The Swimming-Pool Library; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 13. Kenneth Womack: Theorizing culture, reading ourselves: Cultural Studies; Notes towards readings of The Swimming-Pool Library & Prospero's Books; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; 14. Arkady Plotnitsky: Postmodernism and Postmodernity: Literature,; Criticism,; Philosophy, Culture; Notes towards readings of The Tempest & Paradise Lost; Questions for further consideration; Annotated bibliography; Supplementary bibliography; Glossary; Index; Alternative Contents; In Memoriam. A.H.H: Deconstruction, New Historicism, Cultural Materialism; Middlemarch: Structuralism, Feminist Theory; Mrs Dalloway: Feminist Theory, Marxist Literary Theories, Reader-Response Theory, Poststructuralist Theories; Paradise Lost: Postmodernism; A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man: Bakhtin and Bakhtinian Criticism; ProsperoA's Books: Psychoanalytic Criticism, Cultural Studies; The Swimming-Pool Library: Gay Studies/Queer Theories, Postcolonialism,; Cultural Studies; The Tempest: Psychoanalytic Criticism, New Historicism, Cultural Materialism,; Postcolonialism, Postmodernism.


Author Description


Julian Wolfreys is Professor of Modern Literature and Culture, with the Department of English and Drama, at Loughborough University. He has published extensively on nineteenth- and twentieth-century British literature, and theoretical approaches to literature. His most recent books are Thomas Hardy and Literature, in Theory. He is currently working on The Derrida Wordbook (EUP) and a study of the relation between philosophy and poetry in the nineteenth century.






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