By applying recent trends in literary and language theory to a range of 20th-century fiction, the contributors to this text make new theoretical insights available to student readers. The analytical and interpretive strategies examined in this book are presented in such a way as to facilitate critical reading and evaluation. The essays, which are arranged into three groups and which focus on the textual level, narrative and context, look at a wide range of 20th-century authors including Fowles, Forster, Lessing and Woolf. In addition, this student-friendly text includes a subject index, a...

This is a practical introductory textbook for literary studies, which can be used either for independent study or as part of a taught class. Laying the ground for the further study of literature, it introduces the beginning student to the analytic and interpretative skills that are needed for literary appreciation and evaluation. It also equips the teacher with practical tools and materials for use in seminars or when setting written assessments and projects. Arranged according to genre and chronology, the chapters acquaint the reader with a range of figures in English literaure and encourage...