●Introduction
What Is Literature?
Types of Literature
The Pleasure of Reading Literature
The Basic Approaches to the Study of Literature
Understanding the Theme of Literary Works
Part 1 Fiction
Chapter 1 An Overview
Chapter 2 Types of Fiction
Short Fiction and Long Fiction
The Short Novel
Chapter 3 Reading Stories：the Basic Approaches
Chapter 4 Elements of Fiction
Plot
Character
Point of View
Setting
Language and Style
Imagery
Symbol and Irony
Allegory
Theme
Part 2 Poetry
Chapter 5 An Overview
Chapter 6 Types of Poetry
Narrative Poetry
Lyric Poetry
Chapter 7 Reading Poetry：the Basic Approaches
Chapter 8 Elements of Poetry
Voice：Speaker and Tone
Word Choice(Diction)
Word Order
Imagery
Figures of Speech
Symbolism
Allegory
Sound
Form
Theme
Part 3 Drama
Chapter 9 An Overview
Chapter 10 Types of Drama
Tragedy
Comedy
Chapter 11 Reading Drama：the Basic Approaches
Chapter 12 Elements of Drama
Plot
Character
Staging
Theme
References
後記

本書旨在介紹英美文學作品研究的基本方法，共12章，重點放在閱讀與分析之上，強調 以文本細讀為核心，指導學習者綜合實踐文學閱讀的不同層面。全書在文類選擇方面涉及小說、詩歌和戲劇三個文類。本書在介紹文學研究的總體方法的同時，也重點探討和分析不同文類的基本要素。本書以“方法”為主，在選用文學作品之時仍然以英美文學名篇為主，所選作品的語言和內容較具代表性，有的還具有較強的時代感，且難易適中。全書每章均附有相應的思考練習題，旨在啟發學生對所學的內容進行思考，進一步加深對所學內容的印像。