This book has become something of a classic and, in a field as rapidly developing as literary theory, a guide which has been hailed as the most up to date of its kind, must take account of new developments. [The author] has now substantially revised the text..., adding...three new sections on Postmodernism, Discourse Theory and New Historicism as well as an expanded section on feminist criticism. In addition, the very latest ideas and new bearings have been taken into account in the revision of each chapter. The book remains the most easily accessible account of contemporary literary theory, elucidating clearly and precisely the main theoretical developments in Europe and the United States, from the most influential of the earlier writers – Bakhtin, Brecht, Lukacs and Adorno – through to recent theorists - Derridea, Lacan, Foucault, Iser, Kristeva, Cixous, de Man, Eagleton and Jameson – whose work has had such widespread impact.