The third edition of Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice by Charles E. Bressler presents the eleven basic schools of twentieth-century literary theory and criticism in their historical and philosophical contexts. Unlike other introductions to literary criticism, this text explores the philosophical assumptions of each school of criticism, provides a clear methodology for writing essays according to each school's beliefs and tenets, and features accessible student-generated sample essays.

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• NEW - A detailed (50-page) glossary—Provides definitions for all the major and most minor terms associated with the various schools of criticism that appear in bold throughout the text.

  • Provides students and instructorswith a convenient reference to essential terms needed to understand the various schools of criticism.

• NEW - Five new student essays—Including a student-generated essay for Postcolonialism.

  • Provides avenues of discussion and serves as models for students to emulate.

• NEW - New theoretical terms—Added to most chapters, especially to Chs. 10 (New Historicism) and 11 (Cultural Studies).

  • Provides updated coverage of key terms.

• NEW - Expanded chapter on Cultural Studies —Provides a more detailed discussion of Postcolonialism.

• A consistent format for each school of criticism—1) brief introduction; 2) historical development; 3) philosophical assumptions; 4) methodology; 5) student-written sample essay using the methodology of the particular school of criticism under discussion.

  • Identical chapter organization helps novices in literary theory understand each of the schools of criticism.

• Nine primary texts for student analysis now located in separate sections—John Keats, “To Autumn”; Nathaniel Hawthorne, “Ethan Brand”; James Thurber, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”; Sandra Cisneros, “The House on Mango Street”; Edgar Allan Poe, “The City in the Sea”; Washington Irving, “Rip Van Winkle”; Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Maypole of Merry Mount”; Tony Harrison, “Marked with a D”.

  • Offers specific literary examples for study.

• Comparison and Contrast chart.

  • Clearly delineates the differences and similarities among all the schools of criticism.

• Bibliographies—At the end of each chapter. Contains the most recent sources, essays, and books concerning literary theory and criticism and specific Website addresses.

  • Assists students in further research.