An accessible and thorough introduction to literary theory and contemporary critical practice, this book is an essential resource for beginning students of literary criticism.
- Covers traditional approaches such as formalism and structuralism, as well as more recent developments in criticism such as evolutionary theory, cognitive studies, ethical criticism, and ecocriticism
- Offers explanations of key works and major ideas in literary criticism and suggests key elements to look for in a literary text
- Also applies critical approaches to various examples from film studies
- Helps students to build a critical framework and write analytically
Table of Contents:
Preface: An Introduction to Critical Analysis xi 1 Formalism 1
Major Texts 1
Major Ideas 1
Major Terms 3
Summary and Discussion 5
Examples of Formalist Critical Analysis 7
Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 18
2 Structuralism 19
Major Texts 19
Major Ideas 19
Major Terms 22
Summary and Discussion 23
Examples of Structuralist Analysis 25
Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 31
3 Historical Criticism 32
Major Texts 32
Major Ideas 32
Major Terms 33
Summary and Discussion 35
Examples of Historical Analysis 37
Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 42
4 Psychoanalysis and Psychology 43
Major Texts 43
Major Ideas 43
Major Terms 45
Summary and Discussion 48
Examples of Psychological Analysis 52
Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 58
5 Marxism and Political Criticism 59
Major Texts 59
Major Ideas 59
Major Terms 63
Summary and Discussion 64
Examples of Marxist Analysis 71
Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 74
6 Post-Structuralism and Deconstruction 75
Major Texts 75
Major Ideas 75
Major Terms 78
Summary and Discussion 80
Examples of Deconstructive Analysis 83
Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 86
7 Gender Criticism 87
Major Works 87
Major Ideas 87
Major Terms 89
Summary and Discussion 91
Examples of Gender Analysis 98
Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 108
8 Ethnic, Post-Colonial, and Transnational Criticism 109
Major Texts 109
Major Ideas 109
Major Terms 110
Summary and Discussion 111
Examples of Post-Colonial and Ethnic Analysis 118
Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 122
9 Scientific Criticism 124
Major Texts 124
Major Ideas 124
Major Terms 126
Summary and Discussion 127
Examples of Scientific Criticism 130
Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 137
10 Film Studies 138
Major Works 138
Major Ideas 138
Major Terms 139
Summary and Discussion 142
Examples of Film Analysis 147
Things to Look for in Film Texts 150
11 Cultural Studies 151
Major Texts 151
Major Ideas 151
Major Terms 153
Summary and Discussion 153
Examples of Cultural Analysis 157
Things to Look for in Cultural Texts 160
Summary: Theory for Beginners 161
1 Culture is nature 161
2 Words make things 162
3 We know what we know 164
4 Learn Arabic 165
5 Reality is a fabrication 165
6 Not all stories are true 167
7 Power is belief 169
8 You are not who you think you are 170
9 You have to learn to be yourself 172
10 Capitalism is bad for you 172
11 Effects are sometimes causes 174
12 Identity is difference – and is therefore contingent 175
13 We all live in the past 177
14 The world is all there is 178
15 Nature is culture 178
Index 181
About the Author :
Michael Ryan teaches American Literat ure and Film Studies at Temple University, USA. He is the author of numerous publications, including Literary Theory: An Anthology, 2nd edition (co-edited with Julie Rivkin, Wiley-Blackwell, 2004), Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction, 2nd edition (Wiley-Blackwell, 2007), Cultural Studies: An Anthology (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008), and Cultural Studies: A Practical Introduction (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010).
Review :
“But these are only minor criticisms of what will be an extraordinarily helpful and reassuring book for many students.” (Times Higher Education, 28 February 2013)
