Introduction: Why This Book?

Chances are, if you're reading this introduction, you already know something about literary theory; perhaps you are a student, or someone who has wondered what "literary theory" is all about and is looking for some explanations.There are lots of useful guides explaining various types of literary theory.I know, because I wrote one of them. Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed is a comprehensive introductory guidebook to literary theory.It consists of chapters devoted to types of theories: there are essays explaining psychoanalytic theory, Marxist theory, structuralism, and postmodernism, to name a few.The book is clear and accessible; it's designed to introduce students of literature and literary theory to the basic ideas of a range of theories, and to explain those theories in ways that beginning students can grasp.

Guides like mine, however, don't yield information quickly or concisely; they are more like textbooks you read for detailed information.But this book is different.It is the one you pick up when you come across an unfamiliar term in another resource, and you want an understandable definition, or you encounter a name you don't recognize, and want to know what kind of theory he or she is associated with.It's a glossary, a dictionary, a reference book.It's a great companion to Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed , and it's a good stand-alone volume for easy reference.

This book is divided into three sections.The first section is a glossary: an alphabetical list of "key terms" in literary theory.These are words or phrases you will very likely encounter as you become familiar with literary and cultural theory, and I do my best to explain them and place them in context.

The second section consists of biographical information about literary and cultural theorists you are likely to come across as you read different types of literary theory.All entries supply dates and a list of major works by the author, and all place each author in context.Major theorists have longer explanations, which address their theoretical projects, goals, and influences.

The third section is a bibliography, which is divided into sections.The first section lists recommended works providing an overview of various literary theories.These texts are good introductory essays.If you are just beginning to learn about literary theory, these books are excellent places to start.

The second section contains recommended anthologies of primary sources; these are collections of original essays by the various theorists.These anthologies contain the most important works of the individual theorists; they are a great resource for students who want to dive into theoretical texts.

The third section lists recommended secondary sources on particular theories and theorists; these are for more advanced study of a particular theorist or school of thought.

That's it.I hope this book is useful to you.