We set out to investigate Miller's curious assertion--curious for a deconstructionist committed to a critique of the old metaphysics of presence--that literary works preexist their being written down. We find a basis for this sense of the preexistence of the literary work in Miller's insights about the performative dynamics of reading and writing.…

A layman's guide to three critical schools: Reception Aesthetics, Geneva Criticism, and Buffalo Criticism. (DD)

The critical essays of Adrienne Rich form a coherent theory of feminism and an important literary criticism based on that theory. (DD)

Analyzes the literary theory of E. D. Hirsch in light of the theory of Jacques Derrida, a "Cognitive Atheist." (DD)

Reviews the recent work of Terry Eagleton and Raymond Williams, two proponents of Marxist literary theory. Considers the strengths and weaknesses of each writer, outlining an approach to Marxist literary criticism that blends the two theories. (JT)

Explores selected aspects of the work of the "Yale School" literary critics, particularly Jacques Derrida and Geoffrey Hartman. (JT)

Takes issue with Reed Way Dasenbrock's criticism of literary theory and the terms under which literary interpretation and discussion take place. Presents Dasenbrock's reply, which discusses his understanding of certain terms (evidence, truth, debate), his description of the problem, and the logical contradictions he finds internal to…

Explores in personal terms the perplexing connections among psychoanalytic theory, literary criticism, and social history. Tentatively concludes that psychoanalytic concepts need to go beyond theories of repression to models that equally emphasize social responsiveness and self-construction. (JL)

Shows how subjective knowledge acquires authority. Applies this argument to the making of literary responses in classrooms, thereby allowing both research and pedagogy to emerge from the same procedures of reading. (RL)

Examines the meaning of the word "history" as used in the common phrase "literary history" by critics and scholars. Asserts the differences between historical scholarship and literary history. Argues that the grounding activity of literary history is insulated from the relativism insisted upon by poststructuralist theorizing.…

Discusses the usefulness for literary studies of some of Pierce's key terms and concepts: icon, index, symbol, image, and diagram. Argues that Pierce's description of signs may be usefully applied to literary signs and particularly to the problem of symbolism. Charts. (RB)

Compares the theories of writing style advocated by Barthes and Coles. (FL)

Discusses the work of Blake and how it situates the author in thinking about literary criticism and theory and how it affects his teaching. (SRT)

Examines the primary and not exclusively Aristotelian sources from which a more adequate concept of the enthymeme can be derived. Considers the relevance of that concept to the analysis of modern discourse. Analyzes works by Martin Luther King, Jr., and Roland Barthes as examples of enthymeming. (HB)

Proposes, in prose and in charts, a theory of writing intended to unite the fields of composition studies and literature. (JL)