How to Read Literature - Terry Eagleton

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Noah

A relaxed yet incisive guide to critical analysis of English fiction and poetry, centered on the practice of close reading. The work introduces how to approach major literary texts by learning how critics think, how arguments about literature are built, and how readers interpret meaning, character, narrative, and value. It is designed for both students and general readers seeking engaging instruction and sharper reading skills.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages236

Reading Time6 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Openings

Character

Narrative

Interpretation

Value

Index

# TERRY EAGLETONHowto READ LITERATURE -TABLET 'Part of the fun of the book is the way in which Eagleton prompts,provokes and at times infuriates.How to read How to Read Literature?…As an ideal introductory guide to critical analysis,and a thoroughlyenjoyable reminder of Eagleton's own skill and subtlety as a reader.'-FELICITY JAMES,TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION 'A genial guide to exactly what the title promises.' # -KIRKUS REVIEWS 'Terry Eagleton is one of today's most formidable literary critics,withmore than forty books to his name.And yet he writes so entertaininglyand puts forward his arguments so simply that you almost forget youare being taught some very important lessons indeed about life andliterature.How to Read Literature takes a relaxed and engaging,yetsharply penetrating,look at some of the greatest works in English fiction and poetry...The result is an ideal introduction to the concept ofclose reading for students and the general reader alike.' # -WEST AUSTRALIAN 'Terry Eagleton is one of the great powerhouses of the modern academic critical industry.Mercifully,he's also a writer with a lot of wit,intelligence and panache ...This new book is a winner from any point ofview ...as brilliant as an absolutely sensible book about literature couldbe.Anyone intrigued by the subject,as wellas quite a few who havelong been bemused by it,will read it with intense pleasure.' -PETER CRAVEN,SYDNEY MORNING HERALD # HOW TO READ LITERATURE TERRY EAGLETON is Distinguished Professor of English Literature,University of Lancaster,and Excellence in English DistinguishedVisitor,University of Notre Dame.He is the author of more thanforty books,spanning the fields of literary theory,postmodernism,politics,ideology and religion.His recent books Reason,Faith,andRevolution(2009),On Evil(2010),Why Marx Was Right(2011)and The Event of Literature(2012)are all published by YaleUniversity Press # HOW TO READLITERATURETERRY EAGLETON Copyright ◎2013 Yale University First published in paperback in 2014 All rights reserved.This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part,inany form(beyond that copying permitted by Sections 107 and 108 of the U.S.Copyright Law and except by reviewers for the public press)without writtenpermission from the publishers. For information about this and other Yale University Press publications,pleasecontact: www.yalebooks.com U.S.Office:sales.press@yale.edu Europe Office:sales@yaleup.couk www.yalebooks.co.uk Set in Arno Pro by IDSUK(DataConnection)LtdPrinted in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Eagleton,Terry,1943- How to read literature/Terry Eagleton.pages cmISBN978-0-300-19096-0(cl:alk.paper) 1.Literature—Philosophy.2.Authors and readers.3.Reader-response criticism. 4.Literature—Explication.I.Title.PN49.E252013801—dc23 2013001802 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN978-0-300-20530-5(pbk) 10987654321 For permission to reprint poetry extracts from copyright material the publishersgratefully acknowledge Farrar,Straus and Giroux for lines from Robert Lowell'sThe Quaker Graveyard in Nantucket';and Faber and Faber Ltd,and Farrar,Strausand Giroux for lines from Philip Larkin's 'The Trees'and'Whitsun Weddings. In memory ofAdrian and Angela Cunningham Contents Preface 1 Openings2 Character3 Narrative4 Interpretation5 Value Index ix 1 45 80 117 175 207

FAQs

What reading approach does the book emphasize?

It emphasizes close reading—learning how to examine literary works closely and critically to develop interpretation and understanding.

Which areas of literature does the book cover?

It covers openings, character, narrative, interpretation, and value, guiding readers through key elements of literary analysis.

Who is the book intended for?

It is meant for students and general readers alike, offering an introductory guide to critical analysis in an engaging style.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Noah