Critically, literary theory is a core subject in the study of literature. but theory— especially when it takes the form of ‘-isms’—can often be intimidating or boring for students. bennett & Royle have avoided simply giving potted summaries of ‘-isms’ and instead present brief essays on a range of key critical concepts, all of which have more or less familiar names. These concepts are put into practice through readings of particular literary texts.

Salient Features
A new chapter on Film. This chapter explores the ways in which literature helps us to think about film, and, correspondingly, how studying film helps us to think about literature.
A new chapter on Creative Writing .
A new chapter on the Mutant: exploring general issues of mutation and mutability, including environmental issues, genetic engineering and cloning.
A new chapter on War: exploring the questions 'what is war?', 'what is war literature?' and 'in what ways is literary or cultural theory itself at war?'
All existing chapters updated and revised in light of recent developments in the field.
Updated and expanded further reading sections.