
An Introduction to Literary Studies
- Available for pre-order on June 27, 2023. Item will ship after July 18, 2023
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Book Description
The fourth edition of this classic beginner’s guide to literary studies has been fully updated throughout. Mario Klarer offers a concise and accessible discussion of central issues in English and world literature. Starting with the basics of what constitutes a literary text, the book moves through analysis of major genres, major periods, and key theoretical approaches to literature. It also looks at the practicalities of finding and referencing literature and writing a research paper.
The expanded new edition has been updated to include:
- A wider range of examples from world literature, cinema, and TV series, including Amanda O’Gorman’s ‘The Hill We Climb’ and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s ‘Fleabag’
- Additional references to contemporary streaming formats
- More recent examples, such as Amanda Gorman’s ‘The Hill We Climb’
- Updates to chapters on postcolonial theory, cultural studies, gender, feminism, and queer theory, and new sections on digital humanities ecocriticism literary translations, and paratexts
- Extended explanations for traditional genres, e.g., the epic, drama, and poetry
- Updated references to the most recent version of the MLA bibliography with more information on secondary material online, use and citation of digital and social media, and guidelines for citing new media formats
The detailed glossary ensures the book is accessible to readers of any level, making this an ideal introduction to literary studies that will be of value and use throughout an entire course.
Table of Contents
List of Figures
Preliminary Remarks
Preface to the Fourth Edition
Acknowledgments
1. What Is Literature? What Is a Text?
Genre, Text Type, and Discourse
Primary and Secondary Sources
Paratexts
2. Major Genres in Literary Studies
Fiction
Poetry
Drama
Film
3. Periods of Literature
4. Theoretical Approaches to Literature
Text-Oriented Approaches
Author-Oriented Approaches
Reader-Oriented Approaches
Context-Oriented Approaches
Literary Critique or Evaluation
Film Theory
5. Where and How to Find Secondary Literature
6. How to Write a Research Paper
7. Suggestions for Further Reading
General Literary Terminology
Authors and Works
Literary Theory
Genres
Literary History
How to Write a Research Paper
Glossary of Literary and Cinematographic Terms
References
Author and Title Index
Subject Index
Author(s)
Biography
Mario Klarer is Professor of American Studies at the University of Innsbruck. His research interests focus on Mediterranean piracy and slavery. His publications include Barbary Captives (Columbia UP, 2022) and A Short Literary History of the United States (Routledge, 2014).