Overview

Presents a coherent and accessible historical account of the major phases of British and American Twentieth-century criticism, from decadent aestheticism to feminist, deconstructionist, and post-colonial theories.

Focus Areas

Special attention is given to new perspectives on Shakespearean criticism, theories of the novel, and models of the literary canon.

Purpose

The book will help to define and account for the major developments in literary criticism during this century, exploring the full diversity of critical work from major critics such as T. S. Eliot and F. R. Leavis to minor but fascinating figures and critical schools.

Scope

Unlike most guides to modern literary theory, its focus is firmly on developments within the English-speaking world.