The New Historicism Reader

The New Historicism Reader is a collection of essays and theories that explore literature through the lens of its historical and cultural context. It emphasizes that understanding a literary work involves considering the social, political, and economic factors of the time it was created. This approach contrasts with traditional literary criticism by focusing on the relationship between texts and the broader historical circumstances, rather than just the text itself. It promotes the idea that literature and history are interconnected, helping readers gain deeper insights into how societal influences shape literary expression.