Barthes: A Very Short Introduction

This acclaimed short study, originally published in 1983, and now thoroughly updated, elucidates the varied theoretical contributions of Roland Barthes (1915-80), the 'incomparable enlivener of the literary mind' whose lifelong fascination was with the way people make their world intelligible. He has a multi-faceted claim to fame: to some he is the structuralist who outlined a 'science of literature', and the most prominent promoter of semiology; to others he stands not for science but pleasure, espousing a theory of literature which gives the reader a creative role. This book describes the many projects, which Barthes explored and which helped to change the way we think about a range of cultural phenomena - from literature, fashion, wrestling, and advertising to notions of the self, of history, and of nature. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Product details

• Authors: Jonathan Culler, Jonathan (Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Cornell University) Culler, Culler Jonathan
• Publisher: Oxford University Press Trade
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.02.2002
• EAN: 9780192801593
• ISBN: 978-0-19-280159-3
• Dimensions: 110 mm x 173 mm x 7 mm
• Series: Very Short Introductions; A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION; A Very Short Introductions; A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION; Very Short Introductions; A Very Short Introductions
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy; French, PHILOSOPHY / History & Surveys / General, LITERARY CRITICISM / Semiotics & Theory, LITERARY CRITICISM / European / French, Literary studies: general, Literary theory, Philosophical traditions and schools of thought, History of Western philosophy, Semiotics / semiology