Terry Eagleton is widely recognized as Britain's most influential living literary critic and theorist. His extensive body of work delves deeply into the relationship between literature, ideology, and aesthetics, often through a Marxist lens. Eagleton meticulously examines how literary texts are shaped by social and political forces, and in turn, how these texts influence our understanding of the world. His approach is noted for its intellectual rigor, yet remains accessible, making him a pivotal figure in contemporary literary theory.
A volume incorporating much of the best of Wilde's The Critic As Artist; The Picture of Dorian Grey; The Soul of Man Under Socialism; Lady Windermere's Fan; The Importance of Being Ernest; The Ballad of Reading Gaol; The Harlot's House; The Sphinx; The Artist; The House of Judgment; A Few Maxims for the Instruction of the Over Educated.
A native Briton describes America and its citizens through his English eyes, humorously questioning their choices in bumper stickers, use of adjectives and superlatives, and their overall lack of appreciation for the teapot.
"The Ideology of the Aesthetic" presents a history & critique of the concept of the aesthetic throughout modern Western thought. As such, this is a critical survey of modern Western philosophy, focusing in particular on the complex relations between aesthetics, ethics & politics. Eagleton provides a brilliant & challenging introduction to these concerns, as characterized in the work of Kant, Schiller, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, Heidegger, Lukacs, Adorno, Habermas & others. Wide in span, as well as morally & politically committed, this is his major work to date. It forms both an original enquiry & an exemplary introduction.
A renowned literary theorist reconsiders previous stances and offers his latest thinking on the nature of literature and literary study
Unravels the many different definitions of ideology, explores the history of the concept from the Enlightenment to postmodernism, and interprets the works of major philosophers.
Terry Eagleton's Tragedy provides a major critical and analytical account of the concept of 'tragedy' from its origins in the Ancient world right down to the twenty-first century.A major new intellectual endeavour from one of the world's finest, and most controversial, cultural theorists.Provides an analytical account of the concept of 'tragedy' from its origins in the ancient world to the present day.Explores the idea of the 'tragic' across all genres of writing, as well as in philosophy, politics, religion and psychology, and throughout western culture.Considers the psychological, religious and socio-political implications and consequences of our fascination with the tragic.
This book gives an overview of a variety of approaches to literary criticism that have developed in the twentieth century, including phenomenological, structuralist, semiotics and psychoanalysis
"Far and away the best short introduction to Marxist criticism (both history and problems) which I have seen."--Fredric R. Jameson "Terry Eagleton is that rare bird among literary critics--a real writer."--Colin McCabe, The Guardian
The memoir offers a blend of humor and tenderness as it explores the influences on Terry Eagleton's life, from family to educators. It portrays his journey as a shy, bookish boy navigating social challenges while striving for intellectual achievement. The narrative combines sharp satire with heartfelt affection, revealing the complexities of growing up and reconciling contradictions. Ultimately, it presents a nuanced view of a young intellectual grappling with personal and political themes, creating a rich tapestry of experiences and reflections.
In this new presentation of the Gospels, Terry Eagleton makes a powerful and provocative argument for Jesus Christ as a social, political and moral radical, a friend of anti-imperialists, outcasts and marginals, a champion of the poor, the sick and immigrants, and as an opponent of the rich, religious hierarchs, and hypocrites everywhere—in other words, as a figure akin to revolutionaries like Robespierre, Marx, and Che Guevara.
