This series takes up the challenge of contemporary literary theory, providing collections of seminal modern readings of key authors, genres and critical approaches. Prefaced by a wide-ranging editorial introduction setting the readings in context and exploring the issues they raise. Marxism has had an enormous impact on the study of literature. All those concerned with the developments in literary theory need to be aware of the major role it has played. This collection presents Marxist literary criticism from 1965-1990 in one single volume. An international group of contributors provide an introduction to the development, current trends and the evolution of the subject. There is a detailed introduction, headnotes and a glossary of terms which provide a useful context to the essays for the reader unfamiliar with the subject. The contributors to this volume include such notable Marxist critics as Tony Bennett, Terry Eagleton, Edward W Said, Raymond Williams and Frederic Jameson. The book illustrates the contribution of Marxism to such areas as feminist, pyschoanalytic and post-structuralist thought, through to the great literary traditions such as German tragegy and the English novel. A select bibliography acts as a guide to further research. It is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and at courses covering literary theory, cultural studies and history / culture of Marxism.