LITERARY THEORY - A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION

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.

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).

Note to Teachers.

1. Formalism.

Exercise 1.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear.

Exercise 1.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "The Moose" and "At the Fishhouses".

Exercise 1.3 Alice Munro, "Five Points".

Exercise 1.4 The Matrix.

2. Structuralism.

Exercise 2.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear.

Exercise 2.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "The Map".

Exercise 2.3 Alice Munro, "Hold Me Fast, Don't Let Me Pass".

Exercise 2.4 The Searchers.

3. Rhetoric.

Exercise 3.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear.

Exercise 3.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Anaphora".

Exercise 3.3 Alice Munro, "Goodness and Mercy".

Exercise 3.4 Apocalypse Now.

4. Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction, Post-Modernism.

Exercise 4.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear.

Exercise 4.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Over 2,000 Illustrations and a Complete Concordance".

Exercise 4.3 Alice Munro, "Differently".

Exercise 4.4 The Birds and Run, Lola, Run.

5. Psychoanalysis.

Exercise 5.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear.

Exercise 5.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Sestina" and "In the Village".

Exercise 5.3 Alice Munro, "Meneseteung".

Exercise 5.4 Blue Velvet.

6. Political Criticism: From Marxism to Cultural Materialism.

Exercise 6.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear.

Exercise 6.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "A Miracle for Breakfast".

Exercise 6.3 Alice Munro, "Oh, What Avails".

Exercise 6.4 Working Girl.

7. Gender Studies.

Exercise 7.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear.

Exercise 7.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Roosters," "In the Waiting Room," and "Exchanging Hats".

Exercise 7.3 Henry James, The Aspern Papers.

Exercise 7.4 The Silence of the Lambs and Paris Is Burning.

8. History.

Exercise 8.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear.

Exercise 8.2 Henry James, The Aspern Papers.

Exercise 8.3 Elizabeth Bishop, "Twelve O'Clock News".

Exercise 8.4 The Official Story and Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo.

9. Ethnic Studies.

Exercise 9.1 Elizabeth Bishop, "Faustina, or Rock Roses".

Exercise 9.2 Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye.

Exercise 9.3 NWA, "The Nigga Ya Love To Hate".

Exercise 9.4 Falling Down and Hate.

10. Post-Colonial and Global English Studies.

Exercise 10.1 Joseph Conrad, The Heart of Darkness.

Exercise 10.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Brazil, January 1, 1502" and "The Burglar of Babylon".

Exercise 10.3 Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye.

Exercise 10.4 Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss.

Exercise 10.5 Hyenas, The Fellowship of the Ring, Life and Debt, and Paradise Now.

Appendix A Helpful Websites.

Appendix B Elizabeth Bishop, "In the Village".

Index