Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction

This new edition of Michael Ryan's "Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction" introduces students to the full range of contemporary approaches to the study of literature and culture, from formalism, structuralism, and historicism to ethnic studies, gender studies, and post-colonial studies. The textbook provides basic instruction for first-time students. Each theory or approach is explained in a way suitable for beginners before it is brought to bear on the same small selection of literary texts, from "King Lear" to Alice Munro's short stories and Elizabeth Bishop's poetry.This edition is unique in that it expands the range of texts to include film, from "The Matrix" to "Run, Lola, Run". "Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction" is an ideal resource for use in introductory courses on literary theory and criticism. It contains accessible accounts of the full range of theoretical approaches, and it demonstrates how the same classic and contemporary texts, when read from different perspectives, can lead to a variety of interpretations. The book is designed to function as both a stand-alone text and a companion to Rivkin and Ryan's "Literary Theory: An Anthology" (2nd edition).

Table of Contents:
Note to Teachers1. FormalismExercise 1.1 William Shakespeare, King LearExercise 1.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "The Moose" and "At the Fishhouses"Exercise 1.3 Alice Munro, "Five Points"Exercise 1.4 The Matrix2. StructuralismExercise 2.1 William Shakespeare, King LearExercise 2.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "The Map"Exercise 2.3 Alice Munro, "Hold Me Fast, Don't Let Me Pass"Exercise 2.4 The Searchers3. Rhetoric Exercise 3.1 William Shakespeare, King LearExercise 3.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Anaphora"Exercise 3.3 Alice Munro, "Goodness and Mercy"Exercise 3.4 Apocalypse Now4. Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction, Post-ModernismExercise 4.1 William Shakespeare, King LearExercise 4.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Over 2,000 Illustrations and a Complete Concordance"Exercise 4.3 Alice Munro, "Differently"Exercise 4.4 The Birds and Run, Lola, Run5. PsychoanalysisExercise 5.1 William Shakespeare, King LearExercise 5.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Sestina" and "In the Village"Exercise 5.3 Alice Munro, "Meneseteung"Exercise 5.4 Blue Velvet6. Political Criticism: From Marxism to Cultural MaterialismExercise 6.1 William Shakespeare, King LearExercise 6.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "A Miracle for Breakfast"Exercise 6.3 Alice Munro, "Oh, What Avails"Exercise 6.4 Working Girl7. Gender StudiesExercise 7.1 William Shakespeare, King LearExercise 7.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Roosters," "In the Waiting Room," and "Exchanging Hats"Exercise 7.3 Henry James, The Aspern PapersExercise 7.4 The Silence of the Lambs and Paris Is Burning8. HistoryExercise 8.1 William Shakespeare, King LearExercise 8.2 Henry James, The Aspern PapersExercise 8.3 Elizabeth Bishop, "Twelve O'Clock News"Exercise 8.4 The Official Story and Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo9. Ethnic StudiesExercise 9.1 Elizabeth Bishop, "Faustina, or Rock Roses"Exercise 9.2 Toni Morrison, The Bluest EyeExercise 9.3 NWA, "The Nigga Ya Love To Hate"Exercise 9.4 Falling Down and Hate10. Post-Colonial and Global English StudiesExercise 10.1 Joseph Conrad, The Heart of DarknessExercise 10.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Brazil, January 1, 1502" and "The Burglar of Babylon"Exercise 10.3 Toni Morrison, The Bluest EyeExercise 10.4 Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of LossExercise 10.5 Hyenas, The Fellowship of the Ring, Life and Debt, and Paradise NowAppendix A Helpful WebsitesAppendix B Elizabeth Bishop, "In the Village"Index