How to Do Theory by Wolfgang Iser

by Wolfgang Iser

Literary theory has become a branch of learning in its own right, and for teachers as well as students its complexities can sometimes be daunting.In this succinct introduction, Wolfgang Iser, himself a renowned what "theory " is and why it is that there are so many different theoriesdeals in turn with those theories that have made the greatest impact in recent times, among them phenomenological theory, reception theory, semiotic theory, psychoanalytical theory, Marxist theory, deconstruction, art as experience, and feminist theoryoutlines the main components of each approach and explains how it is constructed.Using classic literary texts, including Keats 's Ode on a Grecian Urn, Spenser 's The Shepheardes Calender, and T. S. Eliot 's The Waste Land, Iser shows what a work of art looks like if viewed in terms of each of the theories concerned. He presents the different theories objectively, leaving it up to readers to decide which, if any, they subscribe to. In this way, he defuses students ' fear of theory and demonstrates the potential of different theories for interpreting texts.

Paperback

First published August 28, 2005

Reviews

[Burcu]

The only thing I like about this book is the idea behind its structure. The content and style on the other hand don't really work. Its promise to the reader is attractive, in terms of discussion theory. Its approach with examples is important. However, I don't quite understand the theories and their relation to the examples. Maybe it's me, maybe the work is not clear enough... Either way, I still prefer Terry Eagleton's introduction to Literary Theory.

Oh and I should add that if a literary theorist begins by underplaying and looking down upon his own material (in relation to the so-called positive sciences: hard core theory and soft theory?!), it tells a lot about the work itself.

[Jay Rothermel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of jargony, but Iser does his best...