Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction
E-Book: 157 English Pages
Publisher: OUP
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What is literary theory? Is there a relationship between literature and culture? These are some of questions addressed by Jonathan Culler in this new edition of his highly popular Very Short Introduction. Culler, an extremely lucid commentator and much admired in the field of literary theory, uses easy-to-grasp examples as he outlines the ideas behind schools of criticism that can otherwise be quite daunting, such as deconstruction, semiotics, and postcolonial theory. He explains “theory” not by describing warring “schools” but by sketching key “moves” that theory has encouraged, and by speaking directly about the implications of theory for thinking about literature, human identity, and the power of language.
Review
Review from previous edition: “It is impossible to imagine a clearer treatment of the subject, or one that is, within the given limits of length, more comprehensive. Culler has always been remarkable for his expository skills, and here he has found exactly the right method and tone for his purposes.”
–Sir Frank Kermode
“A must read for all literature students.”
–Bookwise 24/03/2006
About the Author
Jonathan Culler is Class of 1916 Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Cornell University. He is past president of the American Comparative Literature Association and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
