Critical Theory

Two new titles from the Oxford University Press 'very short introduction' series both deal with the issue of what's now called 'Critical Theory'. Cynthia Freeland's Art Theory takes a number of art objects - from painting and sculpture to buildings and even the gardens at Versailles - and shows how various contemporary theories can explain their meaning. Jonathan Fuller treats a variety of texts in a similar manner in his Literary Theory. And they come to roughly the same conclusion - that the meaning in a work of art is not fixed. It varies according to the context in which it is perceived. This is bad news for those hoping for a secure guide to interpretation. But the good news is that at any given time there will be a number of competing explanations or theories - and the most persuasive will prevail. So there.