Literary theory : a practical introduction : readings of William Shakespeare, King Lear, Henry James, "The Aspern papers," Elizabeth Bishop, The complete poems 1927-1979, Toni Morrison, The bluest eye / Michael Ryan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ryan, Michael, 1951-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Literature--Philosophy.

Literature.

Literature--History and criticism--Theory, etc.

Physical Description:

ix, 161 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Malden, Mass. : Blackwell Publishers, 1999.

Summary:

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.

Notes:

Includes index.

ISBN:

0631172750

0631172769

OCLC:

39299024