The Blackwell Guide to Literary Theory

This student-friendly text introduces students to the history and scope of literary theory, as well as showing them how to perform literary analysis.

• Designed to be used alongside primary theoretical texts as an introduction to theory or alongside literary texts as a model for performing literary analysis.


• Presents a series of exemplary readings of particular literary texts such as Jane Eyre, Heart of Darkness, Ulysses, To the Lighthouse and Midnight's Children.


• Provides a brief history of the rise of literary theory in the twentieth century, in order that students understand the historical contexts for different theories.


• Presents an alphabetically organized series of entries on key figures and publications, from Adorno to Žižek.


• Features descriptions of the major movements in literary theory, from critical theory through to postcolonial theory.