Literary Criticism for Dummies?

[Jeziguh <jeziguh@earthlink.net>]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "annemehr <annemehr at y...>" 
<annemehr at y...> wrote:

> Can anybody recommend a good introductory book on methods of 
>literary criticism?
> 
> On the main list, I keep seeing references to things like 
> "Stanislovskian method," "affective fallacy," and, just today, 
> "somebody's triangle" which you were supposed to recognize from 
>intro. to lit. class.



Woo!  An opportunity to come out of lurkdom!

Here are the recommendations that were once offered by my prof in a 
graduate lit theory class:

1. "The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory & Criticism"
by Michael Groden (Editor), Martin Kreiswirth (Contributor)
(This is probably the best overall, but it's a bit expensive.)

2. "The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms"
by Ross C. Murfin, Supryia M. Ray

3. "Glossary of Literary Terms"
by M. H. Abrams

You might also try half-price books for the "Dictionary of Literary 
Terms and Literary Theory" by J.A. Cuddon.  I got my copy for $4.98, 
and they had a pile of them in stock.

Hope that helps!
Jeziguh