Recent developments in literary theory (such as structuralism and deconstruction) have come under attack for ignoring history, while historically based approaches have been criticised for failing to take account of the problems inherent in their methodological foundations. This collection of essays is unique in focusing on this central debate in literary studies today: the relation between post-structuralist and historical (especially Marxist) literary theory and criticism. The volume includes a deconstructive reading of Marx, essays which relate history to the philosophical and institutional context, and a number of studies of particular texts, literary theory with particular force.