Psychoanalysis and Literary Theory introduces the key concepts, figures and movements of both psychoanalytic theory and the history of literary criticism and theory, engaging with Freud, Zizek, Plato, posthumanism, and beyond.

Divided into two parts - concepts and movements - the structure of the book is clear and accessible. Each chapter builds upon the one before, allowing the reader to progress from little or no background in psychoanalysis, philosophy, or literary theory to the ability to engage actively with the relatively sophisticated ideas presented in later sections of the work. Mathew R. Martin consistently directs attention to the task of interpreting texts by illustrating abstract theoretical points with literary texts and at apposite moments provides brief readings of selected texts.

This book will be essential reading for academics and students of psychoanalytic studies, literary criticism, and literary theory.

Mathew R. Martin is Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at Brock University, Canada.

Psychoanalysis and Literary Theory introduces the key concepts, figures and movements of both psychoanalytic theory and the history of literary criticism and theory, engaging with Freud, Zizek, Plato, posthumanism, and beyond.

Divided into two parts - concepts and movements - the structure of the book is clear and accessible. Each chapter builds upon the one before, allowing the reader to progress from little or no background in psychoanalysis, philosophy, or literary theory to the ability to engage actively with the relatively sophisticated ideas presented in later sections of the work. Mathew R. Martin consistently directs attention to the task of interpreting texts by illustrating abstract theoretical points with literary texts and at apposite moments provides brief readings of selected texts.

This book will be essential reading for academics and students of psychoanalytic studies, literary criticism, and literary theory.

1. Introduction: Freud's Ideas 2. Freud and Literary Criticism 3. Klein and Winnicott 4. Lacan and Structuralism 5. Zizek and the Real 6. Psychoanalysis and Marxism 7. Deleuze and Guattari 8. Psychoanalysis and Feminism 9. Psychoanalysis and Queer Theory 10. Psychoanalysis and Postcolonialism 11. Psychoanalysis and Trauma Theory 12. Conclusion: Psychoanalysis and Posthumanism