Analyzing Literature

[Enigma]

I was wondering if anyone can reference me a type of book that goes in depth on analyzing literature?

I have donloaded multiple PDF's and have done some research online, but a solid good book guide will be more efficient for me. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Charles Darnay]

It really depends on what your specific needs are here...literature is a bit vague.

That being said, I would point you towards Northrop Frye (either "The Educated Imagination" or "Anatomy of Criticism") - both excellent books that dissemble how (admittedly Western) literature works, and how we approach it.

[Enigma]

Thank you for those recommendations.

I am looking for an in depth book about literature, how to break down a novel, how to see the meaning of what the author intended, understanding the prose and narrative, etc.

I've seen a handful of books out there, but I was seeing if anyone here has something similar to what I described.

[Michael T]

I'm not sure what country you're in (I'm in the UK) but this book would probably be just what you are looking for:

BEGINNING THEORY - An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory (Second Edition)
Author: Peter Barry
Manchester University Press
(Distributed in the US by Palgrave)
ISBN 0 7190 6268 3

This second edition was published in 2002 so there may be later editions.

Highly recommended! :smile5:

PS... I found this quote:

Product Description
Expanded second edition of this hugely successful introduction to literary theory, a book which has already proven itself as the first port of call for students - Two new chapters added which take account of the changes since the first publication (1995), and all bibliographies have been updated - Given approval by academics and teachers the world over as the clearest and most concise introduction in the area - A consistent bestseller for the last five years
About the Author
Peter Barry is Reader in English at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

It should be noted, though, that theory and criticism are two very different things. Criticism will deal more directly with a single, or maybe up to a few pieces of literature. It, of course, critiques a work. Says how and why it's good, how and why it should be improved, etc. Theory is more a discussion of why writers write the way they do; it goes through a huge spectrum of phases, starting at Plato and Aristotle, and now coming out of postmodernism, with dozens of categories in between. You can read long theory essays without a single work ever being mentioned in more than a passing manner.

The two aren't mutually exclusive, though. And understanding of one will help with the other, though I think criticism definitely uses more theory than theory uses criticism.