Product Description

Michael Ryan′s Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction, Second Edition 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 Global English.

• Introduces readings from a variety of theoretical perspectives, on classic literary texts.
  
• Demonstrates how the varying perspectives on texts can lead to different interpretations of the same work.
  
• Contains an accessible account of different theoretical approaches
  
• An ideal resource for use in introductory courses on literary theory and criticism.
  
• Designed to function both as a stand–alone text and a companion to Rivkin and Ryan’s Literary Theory: An Anthology, Second Edition.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151915 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

From the Publisher
Blackwell Publishers
LITERARY THEORY is the first comprehensive introduction to the practice of literary theory. It demonstrates how the full panolpy of theoretical approaches, from Formalism and Structuralism to Post-Modernism and Gender and Gay/Lesbian Studies, can all be used to read the same texts -- 'King Lear', Henry James' novella 'The Aspern Papers', and a selection of Elizabeth Bishop's poems. Each chapter consists of readings of all three texts through the optic of a single theory or method. The texts are read from every critical perspective. As a result, this unique book clearly illustrates the significant practical differences between contending literary theories and approaches, from Formalism, Structuralism, Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction, Psychoanalysis, Marxism, Feminism, and Historicism to Gender and Gay/Lesbian Studies, Ethnic Criticism, Post-Colonial Studies, and Post-Modernism. The book also contains chapters on Cultural Studies and Film Studies, with readings of 'Mildred Pierce' and 'Pulp Fiction'.

From the Back Cover
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).

About the Author
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).

Customer Reviews

Socio-political agenda
I bought this book as a newcomer to literary theory, hoping for a clear introduction to contemporary approaches to literary criticism. On that front, I was not disappointed since the writing is clear enough for a beginner, and the idea of using classic and contemporary texts to illustrate the various approaches is a good one. However, Ryan spoils what could have been an excellent, serious introduction by persistently drawing from a strong leftist (and cliched) socio-political viewpoint whenever he creates his own illustrations. Some examples: stating that a liberal will consider George W. Bush "an idiot and a fool" in order to illustrate rhetoric; stating that white readers of a racist novel can "more easily accept the offer of complicity in racism" because they are white; writing that a universal truth about hard work being rewarded is "belied by the educational system in the United States"; a discussion on universal truth is illutrated by a pyramid of the society "before you" which is like a "slave society": "investors, large, property-owner, corporate executives...reap the benefits of other's labors"; etc. etc. Subtle enough perhaps, but constantly inserting this tosh where other examples would have served as well or better introduces an unnecessary and distracting element to the discussion at hand. My objection is not the fact that the slant is leftist, but that political slant does not belong in an instructional book of this sort. When I buy a book about literary theory, I am unwilling to be sujected to the author's political views, whatever they may be. Sadly, the author's inability to keep his own social and political bias out of his text not only makes for tedious reading, but is also a serious failing in a book aimed at first-time students, who may not always pick up on the subtext which is being forced upon them.