Now in its fourth edition, Literary Theory: The Basics is an essential guide to the complicated and often confusing world of literary theory. Readers will encounter a broad range of topics from Marxist and feminist criticism to postmodernism, queer studies, and ecocriticism. Literary Theory: The Basics shows, in an always lucid and accessible style, how literary theory and practice are connected, and considers key theories and approaches including: humanist criticism; structuralist and poststructuralist theory; postcolonial theory; posthumanism, ecocriticism, and animal studies; digital humanities and print culture studies. Literary theory has much to say about the wider world of humanities and beyond, and this guide helps readers to approach the many theories and debates with confidence. Expanded with updates throughout, this is the go-to guide for understanding literary theory today.

In the time span of last 30 or 40 years literary theory has been playing a central role in academic studies that are related to social science and humanities. Various competing or non-competing perspectives, principals and approaches granted most of the scholar awareness about importance of methodological concerns in literary theory. Criticism no longer confines itself to the study of literature, it discourses are now stretched beyond literature. It also covers anthropology, philosophy, psychology, linguistics, political science and much else. However, for literary researchers it covers all forms of cultural productions, despite them being literary or non-literary. In a traditional manner criticism still covers exegesis, evaluation and interpretation but it is now stretching its range over theory. Whether you consider theory as a discussion or debates on the basis of certain definition, as the search for necessary and sufficient values for critical practice, or consider theory as a process for making social, historical or ideological pre-suppositions. No matter which option you chose, it will be hard to figure out a clear boundary between theory and criticism. However, they stumble into each other on various situations.

Introduction to the theory literary Criticism

A comprehensive analysis and assessment of the many strands of Leavis's work, emphasising the basic unity of his ideas.

Now in its second edition, Poetry: The Basics demystifies the traditions and forms of the world of poetry for all those who find it daunting or bewildering. Covering a wide range of poetic voices from Chaucer to children's rhymes, song lyrics and the words of contemporary poets, this book will help readers to appreciate poetry by examining: technical aspects such as rhythm and measures different tones of voice in poetry the relationship between 'everyday' and 'poetic' language how different types of poetry are structured how the form and 'space' of a poem contribute to its meaning some of the ways contemporary poets set to work. A must-read for all those wishing to get to grips with reading and writing poetry, this book is a lively and inspiring introduction to its many styles and purposes right up to the present-day.

Providing the ideal first step in understanding the often bewildering world of literary theory, Literary Theory: The Basics is an easy to follow and clearly presented introduction to this fascinating area. Showing that theory can not only make sense, but also radically change the way in which we read, Literary Theory: The Basics: * leads readers through the major approached to literature that are signalled by the term â¬~literary theory' * places each critical movement in its historical (and often political) context * illustrates theory in practice with examples from well-known texts * suggests further reading for those especially interested in a particular critical approach. Covering all the basics and much more, this is the perfect book for anyone interested in how we read and why that matters.

This fully revised third edition of The Routledge Companion to Postmodernism provides the ideal introduction to postmodernist thought. Featuring contributions from a cast of international scholars, the Companion contains 19 detailed essays on major themes and topics along with an A-Z of key terms and concepts. As well as revised essays on philosophy, politics, literature, and more, the first section now contains brand new essays on critical theory, business, gender and the performing arts. The concepts section, too, has been enhanced with new topics ranging from hypermedia to global warming. Students interested in any aspect of postmodernism will continue to find this an indispensable resource.