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Introduction to Literary Theory



Approaching literary texts is not an easy business and it cannot be a random activity nor can it be based on simplistic immature thought nor reduced to personal opinions.  It requires deep careful organized thoughts that should be based on precise established modes of thinking each based on a set of coherent principles not subject to contradictions. In that respect, literary theory constitutes the non exhaustive blueprint or database encompassing all the possibilities about the nature of literature that helps us approach texts in a more organized and purposeful way. Depending on the theoretical angle through which we approach a given text, theory helps bringing into light a precise aspect about that text. The theoretical machinery helps us discover meanings, techniques, processes as well as artistic, intellectual and philosophical implications about the text that we couldn't have discovered otherwise. Theory is important in that it provides us with a deeper understanding of texts and accentuents by that the literary excitement and pleasure about those texts.


Difference between Literary Theory and Literary Criticism



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