Difference (New Critical Idiom)

In the 1970s, the concept of difference transformed our understanding of language and our reading of literary texts. Since then it has found application in almost every branch of literary and cultural studies. In this accessible, lively volume, Mark Currie traces the diverse meanings and changing fortunes of the term from a wide geography of sources in philosophy, linguistics, feminism, cultural geography and cultural theory.

The author follows the concept from its most widely studied articulations in structuralism and poststructuralism to broader critical issues such as individuality, diversity and universality. He offers particular discussion of:

*Identity and difference

*Difference and reference

*Differance

*Different histories

*Difference and equivalence

Displaying a remarkable range of discussion and unique insight into underlying philosophical and social debates, Difference is the best possible introduction to a term at the very heart of recent critical thought.

Difference is one of the most influential critical concepts of recent decades. Mark Currie offers a comprehensive account of the history of the term and its place in some of the most influential schools of theory of the past four decades, including:

* post-structuralism

* deconstruction

* new historicism

* psychoanalysis

* French feminism

* postcolonialism.

Employing literary case studies throughout, Difference provides an accessible introduction to a term at the heart of today's critical idiom.

"Difference" is one of the most influential critical concepts of the late 20th century. This text offers a comprehensive account of the history of the term and its place in different schools of theory, encompassing aspects of post-structuralism, psychoanalysis, French feminism and postcolonialism.