In this second edition of Beginning Theory, the variety of approaches, theorists, and technical language is lucidly and expertly unraveled and explained, and allows readers to develop their own ideas once first principles have been grasped. Expanded and updated from the original edition first published in 1995, Peter Barry has incorporated all of the recent developments in literary theory, adding two new chapters covering the emergent Eco-criticism and the re-emerging Narratology.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Overcoming the Intimidation Factor:
This book was a supplemental text for my Graduate level Critical Theory class, and I thank my prof for that every time I open it up. Barry's writing is incredibly accessible -- even inviting, and,at times, humorous. He breaks down most of the major theorists' important and influential works into their key points (which are often buried under obtuse and circular language in the works themselves) and (briefly) applies them to well-known pieces of literature to show how theory is "done". Even for those of us... more info
A truly helpful introduction to a difficult subject:
Peter Barry's BEGINNING THEORY introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory is lucid, engaging, and challenging, and would make an ideal classroom text; but it's also a good one for those individuals like me who have been out of school for some time and are a little curious about how the reading and study of literature has changed over the past few decades. The book's thirteen chapters cover traditional criticism (liberal humanism); structuralism; post-structuralism and deconstruction; postmodernism;... more info
A Welcome Addition to the World of Theory:
Whenever a college student takes that required first course in critical theory, that student ought to realize that this course is admittedly dense in both content and style, and as a consequence should have access to supplemental readings. Peter Barry with his BEGINNING THEORY is one of three such useful texts. Lois Tyson and Charles Bressler are the other two noteworthy introductory tomes. What is helpful in Barry is his initial chapter on "Theory before `theory'--liberal humanism." Most other critical... more info
Ace All Your College Literature Courses or Just Learn More About Literary Theory:
Wow. I bought this book when I was in college, but I never got around to reading it until this past week. I am absolutely amazed by how good it is, and I wish I had read it earlier. If I had read this before going to college, I swear I would have aced all my English courses. Why am I so confident that this book would help me? Well, basically, this book gives you something like twenty different approaches to reading literature. After finishing the book, you will be more attuned to what you are reading.... more info
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