Literary theory is a field of study that aims to critically analyze and interpret literature, often focusing on the themes, structures, language, and cultural implications of literary works. It explores various theoretical approaches and perspectives, such as psychoanalysis, feminism, postcolonialism, and deconstruction, to better understand the meaning and significance of literature. Literary theory examines how literature reflects and shapes society, identity, and ideology, and seeks to uncover the underlying principles and assumptions that inform literary texts. This field of study can be applied to a wide range of literary genres and time periods, offering diverse and nuanced perspectives on the study of literature.