
Emma Giles (Pate's Grammar School) reviews Jonathan Culler's 'Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction'
The book is divided into 9 chapters, each addressing an important issue or area of the subject, for example, performative language, ethics and aesthetics and rather interestingly what literature is and whether it even matters. The appendix is the most useful section, in my opinion, helpfully defining each of the ‘schools’ in a brief description of their modern theoretical movements and manages to inform the reader of the smallest variations between them. In addition, important names and publications are included for further reading in case a particular concept catches your attention. To conclude, Culler’s book on literary theory is an accessible, demystifying introduction to the topic which will educate, edify and enrich anyone who picks it up.
Something I agreed with in this book was…
The way that Culler places importance on the reader suggesting that their experiences are vital to the development of literary theory.
Something I disagreed with in this book was...
It is quite difficult to place as there are very few opinions in it due to the book being an introduction and its purpose to explain. However, it has given me the perfect launch pad to read some more opinionated books on literary theory next.
Something I learnt from reading this book that I didn't know about this subject before was...
Quite a substantial amount! I feel like I’ve learnt a lot from this book from all the different theoretical schools and movements to just developing a more fundamental understanding of the importance of literature and why we should study it.