Wordsworth, Dialogics and the Practice of Criticism

Wordsworth's poetry has been a focus for many of the theoretical schools of criticism that comprise modern literary studies. Don Bialostosky here proposes to adjudicate the diverse claims of these numerous schools and to trace their implications for teaching. Bialostosky draws on the work of Bakhtin and his followers to create a 'dialogic' critical synthesis of what Wordsworth's readers - from Coleridge to de Man - have made of his poetry. He reveals Wordsworth's poetry as itself 'dialogically' responding to its various contexts, and opens up fruitful possibilities for criticism and teaching of Wordsworth. This challenging book uses the case of Wordsworth studies to make a far-reaching survey of modern literary theory and its implications for the practice of criticism and teaching today.

Reviews & endorsements

Review of the hardback: 'At a moment when academic literary studies are accused of having sunk to a state of savage torpor, Don H. Bialostosky's Wordsworth, Dialogics, and the Practice of Criticism is welcome evidence to the contrary. Bialostosky proceeds from the enlivening premise that Wordsworth criticism doesn't end with the texts of Wordsworth, but includes reflection on how Wordsworth and writers generally have been studied and taught in the academy.' Gerald Graff

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Product details

• Date Published: May 2008
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9780521061988
• length: 320 pages

• dimensions: 217 x 139 x 18 mm
• weight: 0.41kg
• availability: Available