norton anthology of critical theory. take the theory/criticism course your uni (likely/should) offers. if it doesn't make you hate theory/lit crit ask your professor for advice on what else to read.

it's a highly academic and somewhat esoteric field, and a lot of your preconceived notions on what lit crit entails are likely mistaken. harold bloom writes "pop" lit crit insofar as such a thing exists, there are some differences with "real academia" lit crit.

>>8225083
thanks!

is writing 'pop' lit crit bad if i have no aspirations of actually becoming an academic? as in, will it not be a good thesis project? i just thought it would be fun for a one-off project.

>>8225119
Not who you asked, but if after exposing yourself to [what is apparently] academic criticism doesn't dissuade you from wanting to write 'pop' criticism I see no reason not to do what you want.

>>8225119
yea pretty much >>8225154

there's nothing wrong with writing pop lit crit (unless you're doing it for financial reasons, in which case lol good luck with that).

but depending on your major/class/program it might not be particularly well received as a thesis. really depends on the attitude/rigor/orthodoxy of the program honestly. academic thesis usually relies heavily on sources, citations, and "engaging in the critical conversation with your peers/predecessors" whatever that means, whereas bloom writes more "opinion" and "personal interpretation" stuff.