Bennett Andrew - An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory

An exceptional book. It is completely different from anything else currently available, refreshing, extremely well-written and original in so many ways It is just the sort of book I would want my students to read It is quite the best introductory book that I have ever come across. Philip Martin, De Montfort University

Fresh, surprising, never boring, and engagingly humorous, while remaining intellectually serious and challenging This is a terrific book, and Im very glad that it exists. Peggy Kamuf, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

This excellent book is very well-written and an outstanding introduction to literary studies. An extremely stimulating introduction. Robert Eaglestone, Royal Holloway College, University of London

I am convinced that Bennett and Royle have written a pathbreaking work and I suspect that this book so full of laughter, suspense, secrets and pleasure will have an appeal beyond a strictly academic audience. Alan Shima, University of Gothenberg

All the chapters in the volume are illuminating, informative and original. Robert Mills, Kings College London

Bennett and Royle offer a different kind of introduction, which directly involves the reader in the problems and pleasures of thinking about literature its distinctiveness, its strangeness, its power, its inexhaustibility They succeed brilliantly in encouraging readers who are new to theory to appreciate its importance, enjoy its revelations, and understand some of its conceptual apparatus without diminishing the centrality of literary writing itself. This is a book which students in every introductory course on criticism and theory would benefit from having. Derek Attridge, University of York

The best introduction to literary studies on the market Jonathan Culler, Cornell University

The most un-boring, unnerving, unpretentious textbook Ive ever come across Elizabeth Wright, University of Cambridge

It is by far the best and most readable of all such introductions that I know of The treatment of the various topics is masterful, even-handed and informative. I cannot think of a better introduction for undergraduates, to be sure, but for many graduate students too. Hayden White, University of California at Santa Cruz

I dont know of any book that could, or does, compete with this one. It is irreplaceable Richard Rand, University of Alabama

[Bennett and Royle have] cracked the problem of how to be introductory and sophisticated, accessible but not patronising. Peter Buse, English Subject Centre Newsletter

This excellent book is very well-written and an outstanding introduction to literary studies. An extremely stimulating introduction. Robert Eaglestone, Royal Holloway, University of London

Bennett and Royle offer a different kind of introduction, which directly involves the reader in the problems and pleasures of thinking about literature its distinctiveness, its strangeness, its power, its inexhaustibility They succeed brilliantly in encouraging readers who are new to theory to appreciate its importance, enjoy its revelations, and understand some of its conceptual apparatus without diminishing the centrality of literary writing itself, This is a book which students in every introductory course on criticism and theory would benefit from having. Derek Attridge, University of York

I am convinced that Bennett and Royle have written a pathbreaking work and I suspect that this book so full of laughter, suspense, secrets and pleasure will have an appeal beyond a strictly academic audience. Alan Shima, University of Gothenburg

All the chapters in the volume are illuminating, informative, and original. Robert Mills, Kings College London

An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory

Fourth edition

ANDREW BENNETT AND NICHOLAS ROYLE

First published in 1960

Fourth edition published in Great Britain in 2009 by Pearson Education Limited

Published 2014 by Routledge

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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

International Book Distributors Limited 1995

Andrew Bennett (1960) and Nicholas Royle (1957) 1995, 2009

The rights of Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle to be identified as authors of this work have been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Notices

Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.

To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors, assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Application submitted

ISBN-13: 978-1-4058-5914-1 (pbk)

Set by 35 in 11/13pt Bulmer MT

Contents

W e are grateful to Michael Ayres for permission to reproduce his poem Bittersweet published in Poems, 19871992 by Odyssey Poets.

In some instances we have been unable to trace the owners of copyright material and we would appreciate any information that would enable us to do so.

T his is a new kind of book. It offers new ways of thinking about literature and about what is involved in reading critically. It is designed to be clear and accessible to those who are beginning to study literature, as well as to more advanced students. Although written with university students in mind, we dare to hope that it might also be of interest to other readers.

Literary theory is an unavoidable part of studying literature and criticism. But theory especially when it takes the form of isms can often be intimidating or else, frankly, boring. We have tried to avoid simply giving potted summaries of isms. Instead we present brief essays on a range of key critical concepts all of which have more or less familiar names. We put these concepts into practice through readings of particular literary texts. Our primary focus, in other words, is on what is powerful, complex and strange about literary works themselves. Our aim is to explain, entertain, stimulate and challenge.

The book is divided into 24 chapters and looks as if it has a certain order or progression. It begins with The beginning and ends with The end. But it has been put together in such a way that it can also be read starting from any one chapter. The end, for example, is not a bad place to begin. Each chapter concludes with some suggestions for further reading. There is a glossary of critical and theoretical terms at the back of the book, plus a full bibliography of the texts discussed.