Literary Theory : A Practical Introduction

by Ryan, Michael

• ISBN13: 9781405107198
• ISBN10: 1405107197
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-01-16
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

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).

Author Biography

Michael Ryan teaches American literature and culture, American film, and literary theory at Northeastern University. His books include Marxism and Deconstruction (1982), Camera Politica: The Politics and Ideology of Contemporary American Film (with Douglas Kellner, 1986), Politics and Culture (1989), and Literary Theory: An Anthology (2nd edition, edited with Julie Rivkin).

Table of Contents

Note to Teachers	p. x
Formalism	p. 1
William Shakespeare, King Lear	p. 4
Elizabeth Bishop, "The Moose" and "At the Fishhouses"	p. 8
Alice Munro, "Five Points"	p. 22
The Matrix	p. 24
Structuralism	p. 29
William Shakespeare, King Lear	p. 39
Elizabeth Bishop, "The Map"	p. 40
Alice Munro, "Hold Me Fast, Don't Let Me Pass"	p. 42
The Searchers	p. 43
Rhetoric	p. 46
William Shakespeare, King Lear	p. 51
Elizabeth Bishop, "Anaphora"	p. 54
Alice Munro, "Goodness and Mercy"	p. 56
Apocalypse Now	p. 58
Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction, Post-Modernism	p. 62
William Shakespeare, King Lear	p. 70
Elizabeth Bishop, "Over 2,000 Illustrations and a Complete Concordance"	p. 81
Alice Munro, "Differently"	p. 84
The Birds and Run, Lola, Run	p. 88
Psychoanalysis	p. 93
William Shakespeare, King hear	p. 101
Elizabeth Bishop, "Sestina" and "In the Village"	p. 103
Alice Munro, "Meneseteung"	p. 107
Blue Velvet	p. 111
Political Criticism: From Marxism to Cultural Materialism	p. 115
William Shakespeare, King hear	p. 120
Elizabeth Bishop, "A Miracle for Breakfast"	p. 123
Alice Munro, "Oh; What Avails"	p. 124
Working Girl	p. 126
Gender Studies	p. 131
William Shakespeare, King hear	p. 136
Elizabeth Bishop, "Roosters," "In the Waiting Room," and "Exchanging Hats"	p. 145
Henry James, The Aspern Papers	p. 149
The Silence of the Lambs and Paris Is Burning	p. 152
History	p. 159
William Shakespeare, King Lear	p. 161
Henry James, The Aspern Papers	p. 170
Elizabeth Bishop, "Twelve O'Clock News"	p. 173
The Official Story and has Madres de la Plaza de Mayo	p. 175
Ethnic Studies	p. 178
Elizabeth Bishop, "Faustina, or Rock Roses"	p. 183
Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye	p. 184
NWA, "The Nigga Ya Love To Hate"	p. 186
Falling Down and Hate	p. 187
Post-Colonial and Global English Studies	p. 194
Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness	p. 197
Elizabeth Bishop, "Brazil, January 1, 1502" and "The Burglar of Babylon"	p. 203
Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye	p. 207
Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of hoss	p. 208
Hyenas, The Fellowship of the Ring, Life and Debt, and Paradise Now	p. 210
Helpful Websites	p. 213
Elizabeth Bishop, "In the Village"	p. 214
Index	p. 232
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