• A book which steers a clear path through a complex but intriguing subject
• An understanding of literary theory is useful to students of any literature, making this an excellent buy for literature undergraduates
• Jonathan Culler is an extremely lucid commentator, much admired in the field of literary theory
• 'It is impossible to imagine a clearer treatment of the subject, or one that is, within the given limits of length, more comprehensive. Culler has always been remarkable for his expository skills, and here he has found exactly the right method and tone for his purposes.' Frank Kermode

Readership: General readers who are curious about literary theory, but often deterred by complex theoretical writing; students about to embark on a degree course in English or any other modern language.

Jonathan Culler, Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Cornell University

"A must read for all literature students." - Bookwise

1: What is theory?
2: What is Literature and Does it Matter?
3: Literature and Cultural Studies
4: Language, Meaning, and Interpretation
5: Rhetoric, Poetics, and Poetry
6: Narrative
7: Performative Language
8: Identity, Identification, and the Subject
Theoretical Schools and Movements
References
Further Reading
Index