Presents a coherent and accessible historical account of the major phases of
British and American Twentieth-century criticism, from 'decadent' aestheticism
to feminist, decontsructonist and post-colonial theories. Special attention is
given to new perspectives on Shakesperean criticism, theories of the novel and
models of the literary canon. The book will help to define and account for the
major developments in literary criticism during this century exploring the full
diversity of critical work from major critics such as T S Eliot and F R Leavis
to minor but fascinating figures and critical schools. Unlike most guides to
modern literary theory, its focus is firmly on developments within the English
speaking