pWhat is poststructuralist theory, and what difference does it make to literary criticism Where do we find the meaning of the text in the author's head in the reader's Or do we, instead, emmakeem meaning in the practice of reading itself If so, what part do our own values play in the process of interpretation And what is the role of the text Catherine Belsey considers these and other questions concerning the relations between human beings and language, readers and texts, writing and cultural politics. Assuming no prior knowledge of poststructuralism, emCritical Practiceem guides the reader confidently through the maze of contemporary theory. It simply and lucidly explains the views of key figures such as Louis Althusser, Roland Barthes, Jacques Lacan and Jacques Derrida, and shows their theories at work in readings of familiar literary texts.ppemCritical Practiceem argues that theory matters, because it makes a difference to what we do when we read, opening up new possibilities for lit