Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide

Critical Theory Today, Fourth Edition provides an accessible introduction to contemporary critical theory, covering common approaches to literary analysis such as feminism, psychoanalysis, Marxism, and more. It includes a new chapter on ecocriticism, updated chapters on feminist, African American, postcolonial, and LGBTQ theories, examples from everyday life, popular culture, and literary texts, and questions for further practice. It is a valuable resource for undergraduate and graduate students and college professors interested in expanding their critical approaches to literature.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 478 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This fourth edition of Critical Theory Today is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to contemporary critical theory, covering a wide range of approaches to literary analysis. It provides in-depth coverage of key concepts and theories, including feminism, psychoanalysis, Marxism, reader-response theory, New Criticism, structuralism and semiotics, deconstruction, new historicism and cultural criticism, lesbian, gay, and queer theory, African American criticism, and postcolonial criticism and ecocriticism.

The book has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest developments in the field. A brand new chapter on ecocriticism has been added, covering topics such as deep ecology, eco-Marxism, ecofeminism (including radical, Marxist, and vegetarian ecofeminisms), and postcolonial ecocriticism and environmental justice. The chapters on feminist theory, African American theory, postcolonial theory, and LGBTQ theories have also been updated, with new terminology and theoretical concepts introduced.

Each theory is explained in detail, using examples from everyday life, popular culture, and a variety of literary texts. The book includes a list of specific questions critics ask about literary texts, which helps readers to apply each theory to different literary works. An interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is provided through the lens of each theory, offering insights into the text's themes and motifs.

Furthermore, the book includes a list of questions for further practice to guide readers in applying each theory to different literary works. An updated and expanded bibliography provides a comprehensive resource for further study.

Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student new to critical theory or a college professor looking to broaden your repertoire of critical approaches to literature, Critical Theory Today is an essential resource. It offers a comprehensive and engaging introduction to contemporary critical theory, providing a solid foundation for further study and exploration.

Weight: 748g
Dimension: 158 x 237 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367709426
Edition number: 4 ed