Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction

by Michael Ryan

Book Overview

Michael Ryan's comprehensive textbook on the practice of literary theory demonstrates how the full panoply of theoretical approaches can be used to read the same texts. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1405107200
• ISBN13: 9781405107204
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishers
• Length: 238 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating and readable introduction to 'theory'

Increasingly, movement towards interdisciplinary study and the cross-over of knowledge across disciplines is allowing for a rise in viewing 'theory' or 'theories' as a whole. A look at the various theories that Ryan deals with in his introduction illustrates this point: Marxism, Feminism, Postmodernism, Deconstruction - these are not merely 'literary' theories, but offer insights into (and critiques of) broader areas: language, society, history, knowledge and reality, the human condition and meaning. This means that the student of literary criticism gains knowledge that not only relates to how to read books and interpret texts, but on general theories that pertain to human action and social interaction.Keeping this in mind, Ryan's book can be an introduction into different ways of looking at the world, one that might open up new avenues for thinkers in many different areas, even if literary criticism is not your primary interest. Actually, this work was highly recommended to me by an esteemed historian friend, and my own background is in history and theology, not literature.