GRE Subject Test: Literature in English

The GRE Subject Test in Literature in English assesses knowledge and understanding of literary texts, critical analysis, and interpretation skills.

Major Literary PeriodsGenres and FormsClose Reading and Critical Analysis
Critical Theories and SchoolsIntertextuality and AllusionAdvanced Literary Devices
Analyzing Unseen PassagesComparative AnalysisBuilding Interpretive Arguments
Time Management for the GRE Literature TestProcess of Elimination
Major Literary Perio...Genres and FormsClose Reading and Cr...Critical Theories an...Intertextuality and ...Advanced Literary De...Analyzing Unseen Pas...Comparative AnalysisBuilding Interpretiv...Time Management for ...Process of Eliminati...
Advanced Topics

Critical Theories and Schools

Exploring Literary Theory

Literary theory offers various lenses for interpreting texts. Each school of thought highlights different aspects of literature.

Major Theories

  • Formalism: Focuses on form, structure, and language.
  • Feminist Criticism: Examines gender roles and representation.
  • Marxist Criticism: Analyzes class struggle and social context.
  • Psychoanalytic Criticism: Investigates unconscious motives and symbolism.
  • Postcolonial Criticism: Looks at literature through the lens of colonialism and cultural identity.

How to Use Theory

Applying theory can deepen your analysis and help you answer complex questions on the test.

Examples

  • Using feminist criticism to analyze the role of women in Jane Austen’s novels.

  • Applying Marxist theory to Dickens’s portrayal of poverty in Oliver Twist.

In a Nutshell

Critical theories provide frameworks for interpreting literary texts from different perspectives.

Key Terms

Formalism
A theory focusing on the form and technical aspects of a literary work.
Postcolonialism
A theory examining the effects of colonialism on cultures and texts.
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Intertextuality and Allusion