Introduction

K. M. Newton

pp. 1-7

in: K. M. Newton (ed), Theory into practice, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 1992

Abstract

In the last few years students of literature who wish to be better acquainted with the shift towards theory in recent literary criticism have been well catered for by the publication of numerous Readers which have made readily available texts by the major modern literary theorists.¹ In addition several general introductions to critical theory have been published.² But anyone who takes part in a theory course with students will know that one is constantly being asked to direct them to where they can find theory being applied to practice. One reason for this may be that the power of empiricism in the English-speaking world creates a distrust of theory divorced from the question of its application. But a more basic reason is that much literary theory operates at such a high level of abstraction that students find it difficult to grasp. This book is a response to that situation.