Critical Survey of Literary Theory . Salem Press, 1987. Extensive essays on ideas of literary philosophers from Plato to the present. Cuddon, J. A. A Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory . Excellent current handbook to literary lingo.
Many entries cite examples.
Dictionary of the History of Ideas . Very long, substantial, and comprehensive essays on major ideas associated with intellectual history. Extremely useful to anyone researching theories and concepts used in the humanities and social sciences. Dictionary of Literary Themes and Motifs . Greenwood Press, 1988.