An Introduction to Criticism: Literature - Film - Culture - Softcover

Ryan, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1405182822 ISBN 13: 9781405182829

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012

Synopsis

An accessible and thorough introduction to literary theory and contemporary critical practice, this book is an essential resource for beginning students of literary criticism.

• Covers traditional approaches such as formalism and structuralism, as well as more recent developments in criticism such as evolutionary theory, cognitive studies, ethical criticism, and ecocriticism
• Offers explanations of key works and major ideas in literary criticism and suggests key elements to look for in a literary text
• Also applies critical approaches to various examples from film studies
• Helps students to build a critical framework and write analytically

About this title

About the Author

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).

From the Back Cover

“A marvelous new book with which to introduce students to the informed, intelligent and insightful criticism of films, literature, and culture. In easy-going and engaging prose, Ryan shows his readers why cultural criticism practiced well is still amongst the most important things we can – and must – do. Students will love following him as he moves from Adorno to Hawthorne to Fanny Burney to Negri – an original critical ride.”
Imre Szeman, University of Alberta

“This is a smart and clearly written book that covers the whole field of criticism very well.”
Robert Scholes, Brown University

Written in a highly accessible style, this book offers an up-to-date and thorough introduction to contemporary critical practice. Ranging engagingly from formalism and structuralism to psychology and history, the book also covers more recent developments in criticism, such as evolutionary theory, cognitive studies, ethical criticism, and ecocriticism.

An Introduction to Criticism offers a step-by-step approach to acquiring the skills to write analytically, and in doing so teaches readers how to think critically about the world and to become more aware of the cultural assumptions, values, and ideas on which they rely.

With practical examples, a focus on logical reasoning, and an innovative combination of literary, cultural, and film studies, this book is an essential resource for beginning students of literary and cultural criticism.

From the Inside Flap

Written in a highly accessible style, this book offers an up-to-date and thorough introduction to contemporary critical practice. Ranging engagingly from formalism and structuralism to psychology and history, the book also covers more recent developments in criticism, such as evolutionary theory, cognitive studies, ethical criticism, and ecocriticism.

An Introduction to Criticism offers a step-by-step approach to acquiring the skills to write analytically, and in doing so teaches readers how to think critically about the world and to become more aware of the cultural assumptions, values, and ideas on which they rely.

With practical examples, a focus on logical reasoning, and an innovative combination of literary, cultural, and film studies, this book is an essential resource for beginning students of literary and cultural criticism.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1405182822
• ISBN 13: 9781405182829
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208