Research Literary Theory
Understanding and applying literary theory is essential for interpreting texts in more complex and nuanced ways. This page will guide you through how to locate, understand, and use literary theory sources for your assignments in LIT 280.
What is Literary Theory?
Literary theory is the set of ideas and methods used to interpret literature. It explores the underlying principles, frameworks, and assumptions we use when reading texts. Some common schools of theory include:
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Feminist Theory
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Psychoanalytic Criticism
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Marxist Criticism
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Postcolonial Theory
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Structuralism and Post-Structuralism
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Reader-Response Theory
You don’t need to master every school of thought—but knowing how to locate and use scholarly interpretations of texts through these lenses will strengthen your analysis.
This is a refresher from the first page.
Meet with a Librarian
The best advice I can give you is: Meet with a Librarian!
Where do I Begin?
Using Library Databases
Pima CC's online databases offer excellent access to peer-reviewed articles, critical essays, and book chapters about literary theory and criticism.
Start with these recommended databases:
Gale Literature
A comprehensive source for literary analysis and criticism. Use the search bar to enter:
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The title of the work you're studying
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The name of the author
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A theory or school of thought (e.g., “Beloved AND feminist theory”)
JSTOR
Offers thousands of scholarly articles. Tip: Use the advanced search to combine terms like:
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“Toni Morrison” AND “psychoanalysis”
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“The Great Gatsby” AND “Marxist theory”
Academic Search Premier (EBSCO)
Covers literature, theory, and humanities scholarship. Try keywords like:
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“identity in postcolonial literature”
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“reader-response AND poetry”