Modern Genre Theory

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Since Aristotle, genre has been a fundamental concept in literary theory, shaping much of literature and criticism. However, modern critical theory, influenced by innovative writers and new media like film and television, challenges traditional categories and assumptions of earlier genre theory. This shift has led to a reinterpretation of genres, the development of new classifications, and a fresh understanding of topics such as genre mixing, evolution, hierarchies, and the sociopolitical implications of genres, including the interplay between genre and gender. This anthology is the first of its kind in English, exploring these developments through carefully selected works from significant twentieth-century genre theorists like Yury Tynyanov, Vladimir Propp, Mikhail Bakhtin, and Jacques Derrida. It illustrates the importance of genre in Russian Formalism, structuralism, post-structuralism, and reception theory. Each essay features a detailed headnote, and the volume begins with a clear introduction that highlights the international and interdisciplinary nature of contemporary genre debates. Additionally, an annotated bibliography and glossary of key terms make this an essential resource for students and those interested in genre studies or literary theory.