Literary theory is a systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. Literary theory and literary criticism are interpretative tools that enable us to think insightfully about the literature we read. The book throws light on various literary theories and methods of criticism that are widely used to study literature. It is the result of cumulative endeavor of two erudite teachers with long experience of teaching literary theory. It has been painstakingly written with an eye on the need of postgraduate students of Indian universities who have to deal with the ever-expanding domain of critical, literary and cultural theories. The book explains in a simple language and format, the broad outlines as also the fine nuances of ‘theory’. An extra edge is provided through citations from valuable sources relevant to each area of study.