Criticism After Theory from Shakespeare to Virginia Woolf

The argument of this book is that criticism after theory is a single movement of thought defined by synthesis and continuity rather than conflict and change, and that the most influential figures in criticism since Saussure are consistent with his foundational Course in General Linguistics (1916). It also argues that New Historicism, postcolonialism, gender studies, environmental criticism, archive studies, and shared and surface reading are all by-products of Saussure's structuralism, and that Saussure's sign is sensory and concrete. Without Saussure, contemporary criticism would have no identifiable or effective source.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The argument presented in this book is a straightforward yet profound assertion: that criticism, following theory, constitutes a unified and continuous movement of thought characterized by synthesis and continuity rather than conflict and change. The most influential figures in criticism since the time of Saussure, including Bakhtin, Derrida, and Foucault, align seamlessly with Saussure's foundational Course in General Linguistics (1916), regardless of the diverse traditions of complaint that have emerged in Saussure's wake. These complaints, while often entertaining, inadvertently perpetuate misconceptions that have given rise to cottage industries centered on disagreements with Saussurean semiology, often based on incorrect notions of Saussure.

It is worth noting that the materialist criticism prevalent today, despite its claims to be a step beyond formalist structuralism, is in fact heavily reliant on the legacy of that very tradition. New Historicism, postcolonialism, gender studies, environmental criticism, archive studies, and even shared and surface reading, like deconstruction, can be seen as by-products of Saussure's structuralism, rather than its antitheses. Saussure's sign is both sensory and concrete, recognizing that language and materiality are interconnected and inseparable. History, society, the psychological subject, and even the environment are systems of signs, material archives that are read, reread, and interpreted by futures that shape the past after the fact.

Without the insights and framework provided by Saussure, contemporary criticism would lack a clear and influential source of reference. The book unfolds in a structured manner, beginning with chapters on Saussure and Derrida, Bakhtin and Shakespeare, and Freud and Foucault. These chapters serve as foundational insights into the theoretical foundations of criticism. Subsequently, the book delves into chapters on Victorian and American fiction, D.H. Lawrence and modern poetry, Virginia Woolf and Melanie Klein, and the historical tropology of psychoanalysis. The conclusion of the book is marked by a coda in life writing, where the author reflects on their epileptic disability, offering a personal and intimate perspective on their artistic and intellectual journey.

In essence, this book presents a compelling argument that criticism, following theory, is a single movement of thought defined by synthesis and continuity, transcending the boundaries of conflict and change. By exploring the works of influential figures and examining the broader cultural and historical contexts, it provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the field of criticism. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the complexities of literary and cultural analysis.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032244259