With a new introduction and fully updated pointers to further reading, this second edition of Hans Bertens’ bestselling book is a must-have guide to the world of literary theory. Exploring a broad range of topics from Marxist and feminist criticism to post-modernism and new historicism it includes new coverage of: - the latest developments in post-colonial and cultural theory - literature and sexuality - the latest schools of thought, including eco-criticism and post-humanism - the future of literary theory and criticism. Literary Theory: The Basics is an essential purchase for anyone who wants to know what literary theory is and where it is going.