{"product_id":"literary-theory-for-beginners-9781939994608","title":"Literary Theory for Beginners","description":"\u003cp\u003eHave you heard the terms \u003ci\u003estructuralism\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003edeconstruction\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003epostmodernism\u003c\/i\u003e but aren't really sure what they mean? Have you taken a whole course on literary criticism but are still feeling lost? Here's the book you need to sort it all out--and enjoy doing so!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eLiterary Theory For Beginners\u003c\/i\u003e, Mary Klages takes you into her classroom, cuts through the jargon, and explains the ABCs (and the DEFs as well) in terms you can get your head around. Her breadth of knowledge, her unique skills as a teacher, and the delightful illustrations of Frank Reynoso help us understand why literature matters, how it affects us, and how it reflects history, culture, and diversity. Here are ways of thinking about literature--not just reading it--methods of study and frameworks of interpretation from classical humanism all the way up to psychoanalysis, gender and queer theory, race, postcolonialism, and, yes, postmodernism\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith wit and wisdom, Klages takes on the two most frequently asked questions about literature and makes it all fun: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat does the work MEAN? (What is the deeper, hidden, or symbolic meaning? Did the author intend all these meanings? Are any and all meanings present in the text? Are all meanings equally valid?)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat does the work DO? (Why is literature important? What effect does it have on the reader? How can literature be a force for social change?)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSo sit back, relax, and take it all in!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMary Klages\u003c\/b\u003e is an associate professor in the English Department of the University of Colorado at Boulder. She is the author of \u003ci\u003eLiterary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed\u003c\/i\u003e(Continuum, 2006) and \u003ci\u003eKey Terms in Literary Theory\u003c\/i\u003e (Continuum, 2012), as well as scholarly works in the fields of American literary history and Disability Studies. Visit her at http: \/\/english.colorado.edu\/mary-klages\/. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrank Reynoso\u003c\/b\u003e is a Brooklyn-based writer, cartoonist, and illustrator. His comics have appeared in \u003ci\u003eBRKLYNR, Mint, World War 3 Illustrated\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eOccupy Comics\u003c\/i\u003e, and he's done illustrations for For Beginners Books, \u003ci\u003eThe Physics of the Impossible\u003c\/i\u003e on the Science channel, and \u003ci\u003eMayfair Games\u003c\/i\u003e. Visit him at www.frankreynoso.com\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"For Beginners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50365818863890,"sku":"9781939994608","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_cb7a2487-2bb3-4274-9bca-f83645331902.jpg?v=1728464181","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/literary-theory-for-beginners-9781939994608","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}