Literary theory

Literary theory is the theory (or the philosophy) of the interpretation of literature and literary criticism. Its history begins with classical Greek poetics and rhetoric and includes, since the 18th century, aesthetics and hermeneutics. In the 20th century, "theory" has become an umbrella term for a variety of scholarly approaches to reading texts, most of which are informed by various strands of Continental philosophy. (In much academic discussion, the terms "literary theory" and "Continental philosophy" are nearly synonymous, though some scholars would argue that a clear distinction can be drawn between the two.)

References

• Jonathan Culler. Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. ISBN 019285383X.
• Terry Eagleton. Literary Theory: An Introduction. ISBN 081661251X.
• Terry Eagleton. After Theory. ISBN 0465017738.
• Jean-Michel Rabate. The Future of Theory. ISBN 0631230130.
• The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism. ISBN 0801845602.