Michael Ryan's Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction, Second Edition introduces students to the full range of contemporary approaches to the study of literature and culture, from Formalism, Structuralism, and Historicism to Ethnic Studies, Gender Studies, and Global English.

Note to Teachers

1. Formalism

Exercise 1.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear

Exercise 1.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "The Moose" and "At the Fishhouses"

Exercise 1.3 Alice Munro, "Five Points"

Exercise 1.4 The Matrix

2. Structuralism

Exercise 2.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear

Exercise 2.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "The Map"

Exercise 2.3 Alice Munro, "Hold Me Fast, Don't Let Me Pass"

Exercise 2.4 The Searchers

3. Rhetoric

Exercise 3.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear

Exercise 3.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Anaphora"

Exercise 3.3 Alice Munro, "Goodness and Mercy"

Exercise 3.4 Apocalypse Now

4. Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction, Post-Modernism

Exercise 4.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear

Exercise 4.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Over 2,000 Illustrations and a Complete Concordance"

Exercise 4.3 Alice Munro, "Differently"

Exercise 4.4 The Birds and Run, Lola, Run

5. Psychoanalysis

Exercise 5.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear

Exercise 5.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Sestina" and "In the Village"

Exercise 5.3 Alice Munro, "Meneseteung"

Exercise 5.4 Blue Velvet

6. Political Criticism: From Marxism to Cultural Materialism

Exercise 6.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear

Exercise 6.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "A Miracle for Breakfast"

Exercise 6.3 Alice Munro, "Oh, What Avails"

Exercise 6.4 Working Girl

7. Gender Studies

Exercise 7.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear

Exercise 7.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Roosters," "In the Waiting Room," and "Exchanging Hats"

Exercise 7.3 Henry James, The Aspern Papers

Exercise 7.4 The Silence of the Lambs and Paris Is Burning

8. History

Exercise 8.1 William Shakespeare, King Lear

Exercise 8.2 Henry James, The Aspern Papers

Exercise 8.3 Elizabeth Bishop, "Twelve O'Clock News"

Exercise 8.4 The Official Story and Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo

9. Ethnic Studies

Exercise 9.1 Elizabeth Bishop, "Faustina, or Rock Roses"

Exercise 9.2 Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Exercise 9.3 NWA, "The Nigga Ya Love To Hate"

Exercise 9.4 Falling Down and Hate

10. Post-Colonial and Global English Studies

Exercise 10.1 Joseph Conrad, The Heart of Darkness

Exercise 10.2 Elizabeth Bishop, "Brazil, January 1, 1502" and "The Burglar of Babylon"

Exercise 10.3 Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Exercise 10.4 Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss

Exercise 10.5 Hyenas, The Fellowship of the Ring, Life and Debt, and Paradise Now

Appendix A Helpful Websites

Appendix B Elizabeth Bishop, "In the Village"

Index