Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed

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Description

This Guide for the Perplexed provides an advanced introduction to literary theory from basic information and orientation for the uninformed leading on to more sophisticated readings. It engages directly with the difficulty many students find intimidating, asking 'What is ''Literary Theory''' and offering a clear, concise, accessible guide to the major theories and theorists, including: humanism; structuralism; poststructuralism; psychoanalytic approaches; feminist approaches; queer theory; ideology and discourse; new historicism; race and postcolonialism; postmodernism. The final chapter points to new directions in literary and cultural theory.

Reviews

"There is nothing else like this sparkling, fresh, accessible and wise guide to literary theory for the student and other beginners." Professor Alan Liu, UC Santa Barbara
"Written by literary theory teacher Mary Klages, Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed is a straightforward introduction to thinkers, writers, and subjects that students of literature can find confusing. The overviews apply specific focus to the most challenging ideas and concepts, and touch upon structuralism, deconstruction, psychoanalysis, feminism, queer theory, ideology and discourse, race and postcolonialism, postmodernism, and prominent figures of humanist literary theory. Written in terms accessible to lay readers, Literary Theory is especially ideal for high school seniors and freshman college students, and anyone else who can use a solid grounding in the basics."- Library Bookwatch, June 2007 -- Library Bookwatch
"For students who are faced with literary theory for the first time, it would be hard to find a better introduction that Klages' demystifying guide." Mark Y. Herring, American Reference Books Annual, 2008, Vol. 39 -- Mark Y. Herring
Sample quotes from emails sent by visitors to Mary Klages theory webpages: 'Finding your course was a godsend to me...Your lectures are wonderfully clear and make the formerly incomprehensible material understandable' 'You have a wonderful way of making these very difficult obtuse essays easily accessible for our students. Your explanations on these have helped me very much in my Foundations of Literary Criticism course' 'Your Lacan lecture is a gem of clarity and user-friendliness in both its content and style...Among my colleagues I've never found any one who has created so helpful a course website, or more clear and helpful lectures as you have.' * Blurb from reviewer *
"This is one of the best introductions to literary theory this reviewer has encountered. ...Anyone curious about literary theory can do no better than pick up this book. Summing up: Highly recommended. Lower-/upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and general readers." - Choice * Choice *

Author Bio

Mary Klages is Associate Professor in the English Department at the University of Colorado at Boulder, USA.