Using Critical Theory

How to Read and Write About Literature

Lois Tyson

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2026
• Topic: Literature
• eBook ISBN:
  9781040618769
• Subtopic: World History
• Index: Literature

Explaining both why critical theory is important and how to use it, Lois Tyson introduces new students of literature to this often-daunting field in a friendly and readable style. The new edition of this textbook is clearly structured, with chapters based on major theories commonly covered in courses on literature and on critical theory.

Key features include:

• coverage of major theories including reader-response theory, New Criticism (formalism), psychoanalysis, Marxism, feminism, lesbian/gay/queer theories, African American theory, and postcolonial theory;

• practical demonstrations of how to use these theories to interpret short literary works selected from canonical authors including William Faulkner and Alice Walker;

• a chapter on reader-response theory that shows students how to use their personal responses to literature while avoiding typical pitfalls;

• sections on cultural criticism in each chapter that use our selected theories to interpret productions of popular culture; and

• sections on environmental issues (ecocriticism) in the introductory and closing chapters as well as in the chapters on psychoanalysis, Marxism, feminism, lesbian/gay/queer theories, African American theory, and postcolonial theory.

This new edition also includes updated and expanded theoretical vocabulary, basic concepts, and suggestions for further study as well as an expanded next-steps appendix that suggests additional literary works for extra practice. Comprehensive, easy to use, and fully updated throughout, Using Critical Theory is the ideal starting point for students beginning degrees in literature, composition, and cultural studies.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Preface for Instructors
• Acknowledgments
• Permissions
• Chapter 1 Critical theory, cultural criticism, and the environment
• Chapter 2 Using concepts from reader-response theory to understand our own literary interpretations
• Chapter 3 Using concepts from New Critical theory to understand literature
• Chapter 4 Using concepts from psychoanalytic theory to understand literature
• Chapter 5 Using concepts from Marxist theory to understand literature
• Chapter 6 Using concepts from feminist theory to understand literature
• Chapter 7 Using concepts from lesbian, gay, and queer theories to understand literature
• Chapter 8 Using concepts from African American theory to understand literature
• Chapter 9 Using concepts from postcolonial theory to understand literature
• Chapter 10 Holding on to what you’ve learned
• Appendix A: “I started Early—Took my Dog” (Emily Dickinson, c. 1862)
• Appendix B: “A White Heron” (Sarah Orne Jewett, 1886)
• Appendix C: “A Rose for Emily” (William Faulkner, 1931)
• Appendix D: “The Battle Royal” (Ralph Ellison, 1952)
• Appendix E: “Everyday Use” (Alice Walker, 1973)
• Appendix F: “Don’t Explain” (Jewelle Gomez, 1987)
• Appendix G: Additional literary works for further practice
• Index