The Critical Experience: Literacy Reading, Writing, and Criticism

by David Cowles

Book.

Paperback

Published August 25, 1994

Reviews

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This introduction to literary theory is indeed an introduction. David Cowles serves as editor and writer of a couple chapters, with other academics providing the other chapters. Each chapter focuses on a particular theoretical approach to literature. Some chapters are better and/or more interesting than others, since not all theories are cool and worth deep investment - though knowing about them all is quite useful for anyone into this stuff. The problem is that these introductory essays are sometimes so simplified that the theory becomes distorted - how do you sum up the history or Feminism, Marxism, etc. in a single chapter anyway? Some things just get left out and that's frustrating. But I also know jumping straight into the writings of Marx, Derrida, or Freud can be an awful ordeal and some preparation is valuable.

[Brent Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was intended for undergraduate Humanities majors - mostly English. A chapter is devoted to each major school of criticism - formalism, moral/philosophical, historical, mythic/archetypal, structuralism, deconstruction/postmodernism, psychoanalysis, reader response, rhetorical, Marxist, feminist, etc.

This introductory level is perfect for a non-specialist like me looking for apply critical ideas to the practice of educational technology.

It's a reference book I have near when thinking and writing.

Dave Cowles by the way is a personal friend I've lost contact with. Dave - if you're out there, please get in touch!

[Samara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent intro to critical theory complete with sample questions and essays for each chapter. Makes the complex ideas behind literary criticism easy to understand.