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Informationen zum Autor Michael Ryan teaches American Literat ure and Film Studies at Temple University, USA. He is the author of numerous publications, including Literary Theory: An Anthology, 2nd edition (co-edited with Julie Rivkin, Wiley-Blackwell, 2004), Literary Theory: A Practical Introduction, 2nd edition (Wiley-Blackwell, 2007), Cultural Studies: An Anthology (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008), and Cultural Studies: A Practical Introduction (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Klappentext "A marvelous new book with which to introduce students to the informed, intelligent and insightful criticism of films, literature, and culture. In easy-going and engaging prose, Ryan shows his readers why cultural criticism practiced well is still amongst the most important things we can - and must - do. Students will love following him as he moves from Adorno to Hawthorne to Fanny Burney to Negri - an original critical ride." Imre Szeman, University of Alberta "This is a smart and clearly written book that covers the whole field of criticism very well." Robert Scholes, Brown University Written in a highly accessible style, this book offers an up-to-date and thorough introduction to contemporary critical practice. Ranging engagingly from formalism and structuralism to psychology and history, the book also covers more recent developments in criticism, such as evolutionary theory, cognitive studies, ethical criticism, and ecocriticism. An Introduction to Criticism offers a step-by-step approach to acquiring the skills to write analytically, and in doing so teaches readers how to think critically about the world and to become more aware of the cultural assumptions, values, and ideas on which they rely. With practical examples, a focus on logical reasoning, and an innovative combination of literary, cultural, and film studies, this book is an essential resource for beginning students of literary and cultural criticism. Zusammenfassung This book is an essential resource for beginning students of literary criticism; it enables students to build a critical framework and write analytically. Michael Ryan offers a thorough introduction to literary theory and contemporary critical practice covering traditional approaches as well as more recent developments in criticism. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface: An Introduction to Critical Analysis xi 1 Formalism 1 Major Texts 1 Major Ideas 1 Major Terms 3 Summary and Discussion 5 Examples of Formalist Critical Analysis 7 Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 18 2 Structuralism 19 Major Texts 19 Major Ideas 19 Major Terms 22 Summary and Discussion 23 Examples of Structuralist Analysis 25 Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 31 3 Historical Criticism 32 Major Texts 32 Major Ideas 32 Major Terms 33 Summary and Discussion 35 Examples of Historical Analysis 37 Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 42 4 Psychoanalysis and Psychology 43 Major Texts 43 Major Ideas 43 Major Terms 45 Summary and Discussion 48 Examples of Psychological Analysis 52 Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 58 5 Marxism and Political Criticism 59 Major Texts 59 Major Ideas 59 Major Terms 63 Summary and Discussion 64 Examples of Marxist Analysis 71 Things to Look for in Literary and Cultural Texts 74 6 Post-Structuralism and Deconstruction 75 Major Texts 75 Major Ideas 75 Major Terms 78 ...