How does literature work And what does it mean How does it relate to the world to politics to history to the environment How do we analyse and interpret a literary text paying attention to its specific poetic and fictitious qualities This wideranging introduction helps students to explore these and many other essential questions in the study of literature criticism and theory. In a series of introductory chapters leading international scholars present the fundamental topics of literary studies through conceptual definitions as well as interpretative readings of works familiar from a range of world literary traditions. In an easytonavigate format Literature An Introduction to Theory and Analysis covers such topics as Key definitions from plot character and style to genre trope and author Literatures relationship to the surrounding world ethics politics gender and nature Modes of literature and criticism from books to performance from creative to critical writing With annotated reading guides throughout and a glossary of major critical schools to help students when studying revising and writing essays this is an essential introduction and reference guide to the study of literature at all levels