Discusses developments in new historicism, containing essays on the emergence of the Third World as a signifier, the relationship of feminism and new historicism, and the loss of the category class in new historicism. This work should be of interest to students of literature and history.

Can a movement that denies its existence have its canonical instances? Readers may judge for themselves whether New Historicism is a phrase without a referent. "The New Historicism Reader" documents the New Historicists' multiplex achievement, spanning Renaissance and Reagan studies, American realism, English romanticism, gender studies, feminism, and communications and rhetoric.
The essays encompass astounding variety: a wolfish High Constable dresses as a sheep to greet Queen Elizabeth; Jewish nationalism corrects "Daniel Deronda's" sinister world of art, money, and reckless women;...