Difference

In the 1970s, the concept of "difference" transformed our understanding of language and our reading of literary texts. Since then it has found application in almost every branch of literary and cultural studies. In this accessible, lively volume, Mark Currie traces the diverse meanings and changing fortunes of the term from a wide geography of sources in philosophy, linguistics, feminism, cultural geography and cultural theory. The author follows the concept from its most widely studied articulations in structuralism and poststructuralism to broader critical issues such as individuality, diversity and universality. He offers particular discussion of: *Identity and difference *Difference and reference *Differance *Different histories *Difference and equivalence Displaying a remarkable range of discussion and unique insight into underlying philosophical and social debates,Differenceis the best possible introduction to a term at the very heart of recent critical thought.

Mark Currie is Professor of English at Anglia Polytechnic University in Cambridge.