Teaching Literature

by Elaine Showalter

Teaching Literature is an inspirational guidebook for all teachers of English and American literature in higher education.
- Written by leading academic, prolific author and cultural journalist, Elaine Showalter
- Original and provocative reflections on teaching literature in higher education
- Encourages teachers to make their classroom practice intellectually exciting
- Wide-ranging: covers the practical, theoretical, and methodological aspects of teaching literature
- Highly practical - employs real examples from real classes and careers throughout
Draws on 40 years of international teaching experience

Genres: Teaching, Nonfiction, Education, Grad School, American, Theory, Literature

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2002

About the author

Elaine Showalter is an American literary critic, feminist, and writer on cultural and social issues. She is one of the founders of feminist literary criticism in United States academia, developing the concept and practice of gynocritics.

She is well known and respected in both academic and popular cultural fields. She has written and edited numerous books and articles focussed on a variety of subjects, from feminist literary criticism to fashion, sometimes sparking widespread controversy, especially with her work on illnesses. Showalter has been a television critic for People magazine and a commentator on BBC radio and television.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Kathryn Linder · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that this book had some helpful tips for teaching literature courses, but there were also things that I disagreed with. For example, the author advocates not allowing students to rewrite, whereas I'm more pedagogically inclined to Peter Elbow's argument that practice of writing brings improvement as well as helping with de-centering the grading process. Although some of the suggestions in this book implied a student-centered pedagogy, there were other comments that implied a teacher-centered pedagogy which I don't utilize myself.

[Isadora Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good primer for those teaching literature at the upper grades or university level for the first time. Some statistics and technologies mentioned may be dated, but otherwise the book is intelligently written and well conceived. There are separate chapters on different pedagogical issues, including how to teach the various genres of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and drama. I especially appreciated the earlier chapter on common fears (Ch. 1) and the sections on divergent critical approaches that have been tried over the past 30 years (Ch. 3), which formed a good overview of the profession. Comes warmly recommended!

[Anna Hiller · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reeks of the 20th century, and nothing can undo the fact that since it was published in 2003 (c), the world, politics, and consequently educational practice has changed... Or should. What strikes me as I read through Showalter's opening chapters in which she discusses the question "why teach literature" is that that precise question is what politicians and governmental agencies are asking now, with a much more derisive tone and a brutal axe behind their backs aimed at cutting budgets. Cliches such as "teaching the human", "teaching students to think critically", and "questioning the role of language in culture, etc" seem impossibly trite in the face of dwindling budgets for the humanities, and are easily manipulated into the accusations of the Right about the specter of an "intellectual elite" (heaven forbid we should *think*, that's so un-American).

Showalter's argument about teaching literature was compelling before the economic collapse. Now it sounds hopelessly idealistic, something our society no longer prizes. As a professor of literature this book did the opposite of inspiring me. Rather it made me think harder about the very real issue of the survival of the humanities in higher education. A case for the teaching of literature and the humanities desperately needs to be written, a manifesto of sorts: in the form of a twitter feed or a Facebook feed, something that actually has an audience.

The "digital humanities" are doing much to address this issue, but change isn't emerging fast enough to stem the tide of anti-intellectualism. The humanities need to find an argument that the economists, policy-makers, and even donors and philanthropists will understand and accept. This is not to depreciate the power of the humanities to transform the individual (though I think said transformation is what is most feared), rather it is a call to do some strategizing about our survival as a discipline.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very helpful. Showalter covered many important topics related to teaching literature to college students, and as a graduate student planning to teach after earning my degree, what I appreciated most about this book is that Showalter did not just put forth her own ideas on teaching. She drew from the experience of colleagues - both those who shared her views as well as those who don't. It was helpful to see the positives and negatives of different methods and theories, and this book produced questions that I had not considered as well as helpful suggestions for further reading. Overall, it is a useful tool for those who plan to teach at the college level.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of my teaching assistantship as an MA English student. I enjoy the fact that this book focuses on real teachers' experiences more than theory, while it still brings in theory to augment certain sections. I only give it three stars, however, because, well, I'm not actually THAT excited about teaching - this book has merely helped me to come to terms with the fact that I'm going to have to do it, and it doesn't have to be a miserable and/or anxiety-ridden experience. Which, granted, is no small feat. :)

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a pedagogy manual but a highly personal reflection on what it means to be a professor of literature. From anxiety dreams to grading she discusses the topics so many of us are afraid to talk about. It's an easy read, and though it wouldn't be of interest to experienced teachers or the general reader, it's worth the time for a new teacher or someone considering the life of a professor. Showalter steps down from her position as a critic and engages the truly human life of teaching.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some good tidbits for teaching literature in higher education. I was specifically interested in high school literature, so there were a few things I felt were very university-oriented. I did appreciate the mock emails, scenarios, and bits about the inevitable interactions with tough subjects (i.e. Cursing, suicide, sex, etc.). Though I thought the teaching theater chapter definitely was not given its proper justice.

A good resource overall and I took a lot of notes!

[ChelseaRenee Lovell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I can see how people enjoy this and can utilize it in a classroom setting. However, I found it super redundant, mediocre, and quite boring about halfway through. I’m using it for a teaching lit class in grad school, but will I implement much in my future classroom? Eh, maybe about 25%.

[Jacq · Rating 5 out of 5]

...Now if she would only write, "Teaching Composition," I'd feel fully prepared!

[Ms Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book about teaching English Literature to undergraduates. Part love-letter to the subject and part guide to planning schemes of work and dealing with shy or annoying students, Professor Showalter is an insightful commentator.

There are some great activities I want to set my A Level class for their independent study tasks and some discussion questions about teaching style and persona I found very useful.

Although written more than 20 years ago, Showalter is candid about the responsibility of academic freedom and the pitfalls of teaching controversial texts to people who might be upset or offended. We need this open mindedness more than ever as it seems that tolerance is the first casualty of the 'culture wars'.

[Alexei López · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rambling...

Much to my surprise this book was boring. I think the author comments on too much anecdotical information. At times it seems she is just rambling. I expected to find something more concise, more to the point.

I guess this is not due to her lack of talent as a writer or lack of experience as a teacher but to the phenomenon she describes so well: in teaching literature nothing is written and everybody has been doing what he or she can. I can't recommend it. I just want to finish it and read no more..... Could it be the reason why I still have some pages to go?

[á · Rating 4 out of 5]

en mi goodreads no quería poner las lecturas académicas, pero nada, si no lo hago no llego a la meta.
poniendo al día en diciembre esta cuestión.

de todos modos, gran obra.
importante pensar como enseñar, o siquiera, difundir literatura.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A thorough and realistic presentation of teaching literature, filled with interesting and relevant secondary sources and examples. That said, the methodology she presents is merely summarized, briefly, and is hardly ground-breaking or compelling. Furthermore, the section on 'Teaching Teachers', (arguably the operational framework of the whole book) is filled with rhetorical questions that she does not even try to answer. The overall impression I got from her assortment of examples and book-report styled summaries was that teaching is a dialectic process, and perhaps this book is the wrong format for something she could have shared more effectively in a workshop.

[cj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this, and was plenty thrilled to find a decent book that was actually and specifically about teaching literature to undergraduate students and not some irrelevant 'developing reflective practice in your teaching' kind of nonsense. Showalter is a sympathetic author, and the inclusion of a whole load of teaching anecdotes from vaguely neurotic academic types were particularly reassuring. However, I still do not know how to teach literature. I am beginning to think the answer is not in a book.

[eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh, showalter... this is very readable but poses more questions than it answers. no singular philosophy is presented, which is probably good but not very assuring. only recommended for higher ed teachers.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good brief introduction to teaching literature, mostly higher ed teaching. The book is somewhat short and glosses over the nuts and bolts of the actual planning and teaching of lit. Also, Showalter quotes like 1000 people in this short book, so the quoting gets tiresome. Still, worth a read.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains a hodgepodge of teaching strategies. Some are more useful than others.

[Michelle Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, helpful tips and strategies, but Rossetti's name is misspelled. Some of the chapters seemed a little short, but Showalter frequently offers suggestions for further reading.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required for every new Lit teacher

[Ms. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helps teacher to know the road to teach literature easily.

[Wendy Mae]

Teaching Literature

[Sby]

after reading

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book too detailed, and concerning the American literature particularly.