English
What is literary theory?
Literary theory offers different approaches for studying and analyzing literature. There are many schools of literary theory (for example, Marxism, feminism, ecocriticism, postcolonial theory, etc.) and any work of literary criticism that you read may employ one or more of them. The following resources offer an introduction to literary theories and how you might apply them to your own analysis of a work of literature.
Introductions to iterary theory
- Literary Criticism : An Introduction to Theory and PracticePresents the eleven basic schools of twentieth-century literary theory and criticism in their historical and philosophical contexts as well as providing a clear methodology for writing essays according to each school's beliefs and tenets. Note: this is an Internet Archive ebook. One person at a time may sign it out. Use their Sign up for an account page to create a free account.
Beginning Theory by ISBN: 9780719079276Publication Date: 2009-02-01A one-volume introduction to literary and cultural theory explaining the variety of approaches, theorists, and technical language.
Literary Theory by ISBN: 9780585486215Publication Date: 1997-01-01Outlines the ideas behind schools of criticism that can otherwise be quite daunting, such as deconstruction, semiotics, and postcolonial theory.
Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction by ISBN: 019285318XPublication Date: 1998-01-08Also available in print: MH Stacks PN81 .C857 1997
Reference works
- Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism This link opens in a new window
An indispensable resource for scholars and students of literary theory and discourse. Compiled by 275 specialists from around the world, the Guide presents a comprehensive historical survey of the field's most important figures, schools, and movements and is updated annually.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Literary Theory by Call Number: ebookISBN: 9780190699604Publication Date: 2022-05-20This volume presents a broad and in-depth overview of every aspect of literary theory, both traditional and contemporary. Around 180 full-length essays written by international experts illustrate the problems, the concepts, and the methodologies that arise when we discuss literary criticism, offering the most comprehensive exposition and analysis currently available of literary theory in all its many dimensions.
