Critical Keywords in Literary and Cultural Theory

This is an invaluable reference guide for students of literary and cultural studies which introduces over forty of the complex terms, motifs and concepts in literary and cultural theory today. More than a simple dictionary of terms, this book gives students a brief introduction to each concept together with short quotations from the work of key thinkers and critics which can be used by teachers to structure a discussion and guide genuine comprehension. Each term, concept, or keyword, and the passages discussing these, are glossed and annotated; at the end of each entry a few reflective, practical questions direct the student to consider a particular aspect of the quotations and the concept they address, while explanatory notes and bibliographies aid further research. The book is designed to be used as an at-a-glance reference book as well as a guide to literary theory for practical classroom use.

Julian Wolfreys is Professor of Victorian Literary and Cultural Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville.