Peter Barry

Peter Barry is the name of the author of "Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory." He is an English Professor at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth, Wales, UK where he and his colleagues teach several theory courses. Barry is an undergraduate at London University in the 1960s where he receives no exposure to any coursework in literary theory. His literary career begins as an undergraduate with an introductory course called "Beowulf to Virginia Woolf." Barry's first exposure to formal literary theory is not until 1981.

Barry is the principal character throughout this book because the literary and cultural theories presented are researched, interpreted and presented by him to represent the body of knowledge nicknamed "lit crit." Barry presents this survey of literary criticism as an introduction to readers new to the field. His research is substantial and documented to provide students of the field...