Contemporary Critical Theory is an up-to-date overview of significant theories and theorists in literary studies. The volume contains introductory essays on a range of critical theories -- from Russian formalism and New Criticism to postcolonial studies and the new historicism -- and lists nearly two thousand journals and books (including translations) published in English. Many of the entries provide brief annotations. Marshall summarizes the work of fifty prominent theorists, such as Mikhail Bakhtin, Roland Barthes, Walter Benjamin, Julia Kristeva, and Jacques Lacan. The bibliography and author summaries are arranged topically, but listings are cross-referenced to help users locate books that discuss a variety of approaches.