Literature

Front Cover
Psychology Press, 1999 - Literary Criticism - 229 pages
This introductory volume provides an accessible overview of the history of 'Literature' as a cultural concept, and reflects on the contemporary nature, place and function of what the literary might mean for us today. This volume: * offers a concise history of the canonic concept of 'literature' from its earliest origins * illustrates the kinds of theoretical issues which are currently invoked by the term 'literary' * promotes the potential 'uses of the literary' within an millennial culture With Literature Peter Widdowson provides a thought provoking essay on the contemporary relevance of the 'literary' for students.
 

Contents

What has Literature been?
26
What has happened to Literature?
63
What is the literary?
93
The uses of the literary
129
Watch this space
205
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About the author (1999)

Peter Widdowson is Professor of Literature at Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education. He edited Re-Reading English, and is the author of books on Thomas Hardy, E.M. Forster and contemporary literary theory.

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