Literary Theory: An Introduction

A quarter of a century on from its original publication, Literary Theory: An Introduction still conjures the subversion, excitement and exoticism that characterized theory through the 1960s and 70s, when it posed an unprecedented challenge to the literary establishment. Eagleton has added a new preface to this anniversary edition to address more recent developments in literary studies, including what he describes as “the growth of a kind of anti-theory”, and the idea that literary theory has been institutionalized. Insightful and enlightening, Literary Theory: An Introduction remains the essential guide to the field.

• 25th Anniversary Edition of Terry Eagleton’s classic introduction to literary theory
• First published in 1983, and revised in 1996 to include material on developments in feminist and cultural theory
• Has served as an inspiration to generations of students and teachers
• Continues to function as arguably the definitive undergraduate textbook on literary theory
• Reissue includes a new foreword by Eagleton himself, reflecting on the impact and enduring success of the book, and on developments in literary theory since it was first published