Introduction to Criticism

Michael Ryan teaches American Literat ure and Film Studies at Temple University, USA. He is the author of numerous publications, including Literary Theory: An Anthology, 2nd edition (co-edited with Julie Rivkin, Wiley-Blackwell, 2004), Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction, 2nd edition (Wiley-Blackwell, 2007), Cultural Studies: An Anthology (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008), and Cultural Studies: A Practical Introduction (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010).

“But these are only minor criticisms of what will be an extraordinarily helpful and reassuring book for many students.”  (Times Higher Education, 28 February 2013)

• Preface: An Introduction to Critical Analysis xi 1 Formalism 1Major Texts 1Major Ideas 1Major Terms 3Summary and Discussion 5Examples of Formalist Critical Analysis 7Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 182 Structuralism 19Major Texts 19Major Ideas 19Major Terms 22Summary and Discussion 23Examples of Structuralist Analysis 25Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 313 Historical Criticism 32Major Texts 32Major Ideas 32Major Terms 33Summary and Discussion 35Examples of Historical Analysis 37Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 424 Psychoanalysis and Psychology 43Major Texts 43Major Ideas 43Major Terms 45Summary and Discussion 48Examples of Psychological Analysis 52Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 585 Marxism and Political Criticism 59Major Texts 59Major Ideas 59Major Terms 63Summary and Discussion 64Examples of Marxist Analysis 71Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 746 Post-Structuralism and Deconstruction 75Major Texts 75Major Ideas 75Major Terms 78Summary and Discussion 80Examples of Deconstructive Analysis 83Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 867 Gender Criticism 87Major Works 87Major Ideas 87Major Terms 89Summary and Discussion 91Examples of Gender Analysis 98Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 1088 Ethnic, Post-Colonial, and Transnational Criticism 109Major Texts 109Major Ideas 109Major Terms 110Summary and Discussion 111Examples of Post-Colonial and Ethnic Analysis 118Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 1229 Scientific Criticism 124Major Texts 124Major Ideas 124Major Terms 126Summary and Discussion 127Examples of Scientific Criticism 130Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 13710 Film Studies 138Major Works 138Major Ideas 138Major Terms 139Summary and Discussion 142Examples of Film Analysis 147Things to Look for in Film Texts 15011 Cultural Studies 151Major Texts 151Major Ideas 151Major Terms 153Summary and Discussion 153Examples of Cultural Analysis 157Things to Look for in Cultural Texts 160Summary: Theory for Beginners 1611 Culture is nature 1612 Words make things 1623 We know what we know 1644 Learn Arabic 1655 Reality is a fabrication 1656 Not all stories are true 1677 Power is belief 1698 You are not who you think you are 1709 You have to learn to be yourself 17210 Capitalism is bad for you 17211 Effects are sometimes causes 17412 Identity is difference – and is therefore contingent 17513 We all live in the past 17714 The world is all there is 17815 Nature is culture 178Index 181