Canons and Contexts

by Paul Lauter

Overview

This collection of essays places issues central to literary study, particularly the question of the canon, in the context of institutional practices in American colleges and universities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198022275
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/01/1991
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	488 KB

About the Author

Trinity College

Editorial Reviews

"Excellent...An important, provocative book that...adds much to the heated discussion of the canon."—American Literature

"The essays in this volume challenge the traditional canon from a feminist and multicultural perspective; they also discuss the politics of higher education...as the context in which the canon debate is being played out. In addition... the book is a brilliant work of critical theory, one that eschews theoretical jargon in order to interrogate the discourses of texts and of criticism."—The Women's Review of Books

"The debate between theory and action is as old as the idea of reform....I do not question the real value of the work Lauter has done in the profession and in his writings, collected here, over the past twenty years. Lauter himself proposes a 'functional' approach to the study of literature, and, from one perspective, his work can most usefully be understood through its function in the profession and through its role in creating change."—Peter Carafiol, Association of Departments of English Journal

"Lauter has consistently been among the first to focus attention on the political issues that concern literature professors now. Over and over again his book reminds us, powerfully and with a wealth of knowledge and insight, that 'what is involved in literary history is survival.'"—Jane Tompkins, Duke University

"If you want to see what it means to bring remarkable interpretive sophistication and exemplary moral conscience to the historically grounded study of American literature, read these essays. In fact, read them more than once."—Michael Cowan, University of California, Santa Cruz

From the Publisher