The paper focuses on modern literary theory (a general overview) and then moves to theory specifically in the USA starting from the beginning of the 20th century (general overview) until the 50s/60s (specific focus here) and beyond. Some key words/ideas to focus on: the chaotic state of theory that corresponded to political,/social changes- New Criticism- Structuralism- poststructuralism/ post modernism- Foucault / Derrida/ De Man.