{"product_id":"literary-meaning-reclaiming-the-study-of-literature-critical","title":"Literary Meaning: Reclaiming the Study of Literature - Critical","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Literary Meaning: Reclaiming the Study of Literature, the bottom line is clear: this book is for students and instructors who want a rigorous defense of authorial intent and a challenge to prevailing indeterminate readings. Wendell V. Harris mounts a focused critique of hermetic approaches that separate language from external reality and argues for a renewed hermeneutic practice; readers looking for a provocative, theory-minded argument about method in literary studies will find the book stimulating and timely. The review highlights the book's central claim and its usefulness as a prompt for departmental debate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArgument for Hermeneutics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harris provides a clear case that understanding an author's intended meaning should be the first step in reading, which helps re-anchor interpretation in textual purpose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritique of Indeterminacy:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book exposes what the author sees as fallacies behind fashionable hermeticism, helping readers evaluate the limits of approaches that claim meaning is indeterminate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEngagement with Professionalism:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harris challenges the emptiness of current modes of professionalism in literature departments, prompting readers to reconsider institutional practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvocative Tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text is written to provoke debate, making it useful as a seminar text or discussion starter in courses on criticism and theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTargeted Scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e The focus on methodology rather than close readings keeps the book concentrated on the theory and practice of interpretation, useful for methodological reflection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiterary Meaning is aimed at graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and faculty who are wrestling with competing critical approaches and who want a substantive argument for reclaiming hermeneutics as a viable interpretive method. It will be most valuable to readers interested in criticism and theory and in debates about meaning and authorial intent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking a comprehensive history of literary theory or a textbook full of examples and close readings should look elsewhere; this is a polemical, method-focused book rather than a survey or anthology of interpretive practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear advocacy for a return to hermeneutics offers a constructive alternative to theories of indeterminacy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe critique of fashionable hermeticism sharpens readers' ability to evaluate theoretical claims about language and meaning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks well as a discussion prompt in seminars because of its provocative and challenging tone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book's polemical focus means it contains fewer illustrative close readings, which may disappoint readers wanting textual examples.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiterary Meaning: Reclaiming the Study of Literature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWendell V. Harris\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiterary criticism and theory; hermeneutics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArgumentative critique of hermeticism and defense of authorial intent\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents, instructors, and scholars in literature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUse case\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeminar discussion, methodological reflection, curricular debate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarris's Literary Meaning is a focused, provocative defense of hermeneutics that will repay readers who want a principled alternative to theories of indeterminacy. It is good value for those seeking a stimulus for classroom debate and methodological reassessment, though readers desiring extensive close readings may prefer a different title.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for classroom use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Its argumentative structure and provocative claims make it an effective seminar text for advanced courses in criticism and theory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book include many close readings?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The focus is on methodological critique and theoretical argument rather than detailed textual analyses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is the author?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWendell V. Harris is the author and positions the book as a defense of hermeneutics and critique of contemporary professionalism in literature departments.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wendell J. Harris","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48258708996315,"sku":"0333640152","price":59.9,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61E3lg6dKvL._SL1360.jpg?v=1771008236","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/literary-meaning-reclaiming-the-study-of-literature-critical","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}