An Introduction to Literary Studies

Mario Klarer offers a concise and accessible discussion of central issues in English and world literature. Starting with the basics of what constitutes a literary text, the book moves through analysis of major genres, major periods, and key theoretical approaches to literature.

The fourth edition of this classic beginner's guide to literary studies has been fully updated throughout. Mario Klarer offers a concise and accessible discussion of central issues in English and world literature as well as film and television series. Starting with the basics of what constitutes a literary text, the book moves through an analysis of major genres, important periods, and key theoretical approaches to literature and film. It also looks at the practicalities of finding and referencing secondary sources when writing a research paper.

The expanded new edition has been updated to include:

• a wider range of examples from world literature, cinema, and television series
• additional references to contemporary streaming formats
• updated chapters on postcolonial theory, cultural studies, gender theory, feminism, and queer theory
• new sections on digital humanities, ecocriticism, literary translations, and paratexts
• extended explanations of traditional genres, e. g. , the epic, drama, and poetry
• a completely revised chapter on the most recent MLA guidelines with rules for citing new media formats

The detailed glossary ensures that the book is accessible to readers of any level, making this an ideal self-study guide or a course book for Introduction to Literature classes.

Figures

Preliminary Remarks

Preface to the Fourth Edition

Acknowledgments

1. What Is Literature? What Is a Text?

Genre, Text Type, and Discourse

Primary and Secondary Sources

Paratexts

2. Major Genres in Literary Studies

Fiction

Poetry

Drama

Film

3. Periods of Literature

4. Theoretical Approaches to Literature

Text-Oriented Approaches

Author-Oriented Approaches

Reader-Oriented Approaches

Context-Oriented Approaches

Literary Critique or Evaluation

Film Theory

5. Where and How to Find Secondary Literature

6. How to Write a Research Paper

Structuring Your Research Paper

Citing Your Sources: The MLA Style Guide

7. Suggestions for Further Reading

General Literary Terminology

Authors and Works

Literary Theory

Genres

Literary History

How to Write a Research Paper

Glossary of Literary and Cinematic Terms

References

Author and Title Index

Subject Index