A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature

I used an earlier edition of this book in an undergraduate class specifically about the criticism of literature. The class was structured such that, at each chapter, we would read it in addition to one poem, one short story, and one play. In class we discussed the given chapter and applied it to the example literature in the book. Then, we were on our own to apply the technique in an essay to one of the assigned readings. That was in 1986. I decided to read the latest edition of the book since it had been so helpful before and I wanted to see what had changed. My edition from years ago had feminism as one of several "alternative" techniques discussed in the last chapter. Now, it is a chapter in and of itself entitled, "Feminisms." There is now also a chapter on cultural studies. Further, a number of other techniques have been added. Now, the last chapter of "alternative" techniques includes dialogics, deconstruction, reader-response, and other techniques. I was quite surprised by the information on gender studies offered. This is a mainstream book with no hidden agenda, yet it covers the basics of even queer theory. What most impressed me was that the descriptive summaries were so thorough, yet anyone could study or teach this material no matter their political views. I suppose some people could become offended by even discussing such material, but even a conservative instructor or student could use the text, find it useful, and become informed on issues without a feeling anyone is trying to adjust their worldview in some kind of sneaky fashion. Personally, I find the writing in the book concise and witty. As a textbook, it continues to educate without overburdening one with lengthy text. Yet it covers all of the basics and then some. As a book one might read on one's own to develop a more intimate relationship with literature, it does that too, although outside of a class, you may need to run to the dictionary here and there. Many titles of literary works are provided throughout the text that can be read as one wishes either to understand the theories mentioned better or to have the experience of reading the material with a critical eye. The book definitely deepens ones relationship to literature.

Dr. Guerin walked into the graduate classroom and placed his things on the table. Short and a bit blocky in stature, he also had hair the color of sea spray, white with darkened strands. After a few initial comments, he made this rather unusual statement: "There's something to this idea of making contact with a book." He picked up the text, a huge tome of plays from around the world to demonstrate his point. "When you hold a book in your hands, you become intimate with it. Almost by osmosis you become aware of what is inside." Those words are not exact, but close enough. Bibliophiles, word lovers, serious readers will understand Dr. Guerin's meaning. Open this particular book, "A Handbook," to find five approaches to evaluating literature: traditional, formalistic, psychological, mythical/archetypal, and exponential. Each approach is defined, branches are explained, and two or three works from literature are used for application and direct explanation. These works are "Young Goodman Brown," "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," and "Hamlet." Additional approaches are explained in a last chapter: Aristotelian, feminist, genre, linguistic, rhetorical, and others. Other blurbs and reviews indicate the five-star recommendation for use by graduate students. I found that to be true, surely. However, when I became an English teacher, I found this book to be even more valuable. This was especially true when I taught archetypes and assigned an essay relating the use of archetypes in one of the Star Wars films, then whatever work of literature we were reading at the time (perhaps "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe). Dr. Wilfred L. Guerin is one of the collaborators/writers of "A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature" and one of the finest professors it was my privilege to know. Although he is now retired, he teaches Catholic history and theology for the Greco Institute, associated with our local cathedral, St. John Berchmans. Dedicated to Dr. Wilfred L. Guerin

I highly recommend this book to anyone who plans to complete graduate work in English. During my undergraduate career, I learned nothing about theory, and therefore found myself oblivious to the subject when I attended a different school for graduate work, where such a background was required of undergraduates. This book is a comprehensive guide to the application of theory (e.g. psychoanalytic, marxist, feminist, structuralism, etc.) to literary works. The book thoroughly introduces each theory, along with its various subtheories, and provides examples on how to apply each theory to literary works. It also includes the do's and don'ts of work in the area. Literary theory can be quite exhaustive. This is the perfect place to start and you will find that it is a book you will refer to again and again.

I used this text to teach introductory literary criticism to my high school seniors for over six years. The examples in the text are excellent, and the characteristics of each approach are clearly established. It is my first choice as a teaching tool, and I think it would be equally effective for a college student working independently. I give it my highest rating.