Literary Studies: An Introduction

Literary studies is the academic field that deals with the interpretation and analysis of literature (Abrams, 1999, p. 5). It involves the close reading of literary texts and the examination of their themes, structure, and style, as well as the consideration of the historical and cultural contexts in which they were produced (Rosenblatt, 1938, p. 10). Literary studies can encompass a wide range of literary genres, including poetry, novels, plays, and short stories, as well as various forms of non-fiction writing (Brooks & Warren, 1950, p. 15). One of the key goals of literary studies is to better understand the ways in which literature reflects and shapes the human experience (Leavis, 1948, p. 20). To this end, literary critics and scholars may analyze the language, symbols, and imagery used by a particular author (Eagleton, 1983, p. 25), as well as the social, political, and cultural factors that influenced their work (Said, 1978, p. 30). They may also consider the ways in which…