ultimate value of literary theory as a method of interpretation (and some critics, in fact, object to the practicality of literary theory entirely), it is nevertheless vital for students of literature to understand the core principles of literary theory and be able to use those same principles to interpret literary texts.

The premise of Literary Theory: The Basicsis that literary theory and literary practice – the practice of interpretation – can indeed not very well be separated and certainly not at the more advanced level of academic literary studies. One of its aims, then, is to show how theory and practice are inevitably

The premise of Literary Theory: The Basicsis that literary theory and literary practice – the practice of interpretation – cannot indeed very well be separated, and certainly not at the more advanced level of academic literary studies. One of its aims, then, is to show how theory and practice are inevitably connected and have always been ...