Literary Criticism : Semiotics & Literary Theory

In this controversial and bracing study, Robert Young argues that today's theories on post-colonialism and ethnicity are disturbingly close to the colonial discourse of the nineteenth century. An original and exciting work. more...

Price: $35.95

This book applies postcolonial theory to the travel writing of some of America's best-known authors, revealing the ways in which America's travel fiction and nonfiction have both reflected and shaped society. more...

Price: $110.00

This book explores the ways in which a range of recent American novelists have handled the genre of the ‘coming-of-age’ novel, or the Bildungsroman. Novels of this genre characteristically dramatise the vicissitudes of growing up and the trials and tribulations of young adulthood, often presented through depictions of immediate family relationships and other social structures. This book considers a variety of different American cultures (in terms of race, class and gender) and a range of contemporary coming-of-age novels, so that aesthetic judgements about the fiction might be made in the context of the social history that fiction represents. Although the focus is on the contemporary period, this is placed in the context of reference to earlier novels and criticism of the genre, as well as historical changes in the status of the family, and the adolescent within it. more...

Price: $143.28

A Companion to Tragedy is an essential resource for anyone interested in exploring the role of tragedy in Western history and culture. The Companion is based on the premise that the genre of tragedy is inseparable from history, insofar as it was born in the Greek city-state, and its life has been intertwined with the fate of dynasties, revolutions, and crises of social change. At the same time, this historical approach is complemented by consideration of philosophical and religious readings of tragedy. Featuring essays by renowned scholars from multiple disciplines, the volume is therefore structured into two parts: the first set of essays on "tragic thought" considers interpretations of tragedy through religion, philosophy, and history; while the second set on "tragedy in history" traces the historical development of tragedy from classical Greece to modernity. Together, they demonstrate how the practice of reading tragedy has changed radically in the past two decades. more...

Price: $190.00

This comprehensive, user-friendly introduction provides information on Chaucer's life, contexts and works, also outlining major critical views and interpretations from initial publication to the present. more...

Price: $26.95