Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory

by Peter Barry

Paperback, 2002

Status

Available

Call number

801.95

Genres

Collection

Your library

Publication

Manchester University Press (2002), Edition: 2nd, Paperback, 320 pages

Description

Beginning theory has been helping students navigate through the thickets of literary and cultural theory for over two decades. This new and expanded fourth edition continues to offer readers the best single-volume introduction to the field. The bewildering variety of approaches, theorists and technical language is lucidly and expertly unravelled. Unlike many books which assume certain positions about the critics and the theories they represent, Beginning theory allows readers to develop their own ideas once first principles and concepts have been grasped. The book has been updated for this edition and includes a new introduction, expanded chapters, and an overview of the subject ('Theory after "Theory"') which maps the arrival of new 'isms' since the second edition appeared in 2002 and the third edition in 2009.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member jaygheiser

This is not some dry academic tome, but is an approachable work with a fresh style. Although I read this outside of the classroom, and both enjoyed and benefited from it, as an experienced instructor, Peter Barry is actually providing a textbook . Each th

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LibraryThing member Saieeda

This is a fantastic book. It is divided nicely, and it breaks down the material into wonderfully understandable chuncks and examples. I loved it. Every English major needs this book. Everyone who studies literature should read it at least once.

LibraryThing member RKC-Drama

Beginning theory has been helping students navigate through the thickets of literary and cultural theory for well over a decade now. This new and expanded third edition continues to offer students and readers the best one-volume introduction to the field.The bewildering variety of approaches,

theorists and technical language is lucidly and expertly unravelled. Unlike many books which assume certain positions about the critics and the theories they represent, Peter Barry allows readers to develop their own ideas once first principles and concepts have been grasped.

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LibraryThing member ZenMoon

Beginning Theory offers the literary studies student a fantastic primer to help navigate the often convoluted and complex domain of literary theory. Barry shows us that theory need not be daunting, and successfully manages to convey difficult concepts in a voice that is consistently conversational,

and never dry. I appreciated his occasional interjection of self for the way in which it humanised the text. The book covers all the major theoretical approaches from Structuralism, through Psychoanalytic, Marxist, and feminist criticism, as well as newer areas such as Ecocriticism. Barry weaves the theoretical positions of each, within a historical framework. Since all theory arises out of distinct social, cultural and political processes, the historical backdrop provides an additional anchor for learning.

Although this is marketed as a beginner's guide, the breadth of coverage, and expert condensing of detail, makes it a must for any student of literary or cultural studies. I've revisited it again and again during my Masters, and it's now an invaluable addition to my study shelf.

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LibraryThing member Dilip-Kumar

Yet another stab at understanding this esoteric discipline!

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Subjects

Criticism

Language

English

Original language

English

Original publication date

1995

Physical description

320 p.; 7.7 inches

ISBN

0719062683 / 9780719062681

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