Northrop Frye

Since we're dealing primarily with the teaching of literature at the Secondary level, one element that is rarely incorporated is the all-encompassing literary theory of the great Canadian critic, Northrop Frye.

His theory is all-inclusive (perfect for these politically correct times) insofar as everything from nursery rhymes to the Bible, from film to opera, from comedy & romance to tragedy & irony has a place in Frye's paradigm. It's both simple enough to be taught to elementary kids and complex enough to challenge university academics.

It would provide a context for Secondary teachers and students alike and would be sure to provoke questions and analysis, all of which would contribute to what Frye viewed as a central goal of education, the fostering of "the educated imagination."