Literary theory has changed the way we think about writing and reading literature, language itself, literary forms and themes and much more. It has transformed the field of English literary studies, and continues to shape it in exciting and diverse ways. Although theory might sometimes seem highly abstract or complex, it can be very accessible as well as thought-provoking, even illuminating. Theory is as much about us as readers as it is about literature itself. This course aims to demystify literary theory by exploring some of its key ideas and debates, and to show how these can enhance our own understanding and enjoyment of fiction and poetry.
How does literature relate to the world around it—to history or philosophy or ideas about authorship and art? Does a book’s meaning have a life of its own after the author writes it, and if so, what role does each reader play in that? What do psychology, Marxism, or feminism have to do with reading stories? Is ‘literary’ language different from other language? And what do terms such as ‘deconstruction’, ‘postcolonialism’, or ‘ecocriticism’ mean? This course is for anyone who is curious about the way literature works, but also about the many ideas around and about literature.
This course is open to all, whether you have studied literature before or not. However, if you are seeking a structured pathway to literary studies, we suggest you take Critical Reading first, and then follow it with Literary Theory.