Abstract

Literary theory serves as a framework through which readers interpret, analyze, and critique literary texts, much like a lens that colors perception and shapes meaning. This article presents an analogy-driven exploration of literary theory, comparing it to various tools and perspectives that guide our understanding of literature. Just as a microscope reveals hidden details or a map offers multiple routes to a destination, literary theories—such as structuralism, post-structuralism, Marxism, feminism, psychoanalysis, and postcolonialism—offer different ways of approaching texts and uncovering layers of meaning. Each theory emphasizes particular elements: language, power, class, gender, psychology, or history, much like different specialists analyzing the same painting through unique disciplinary lenses. This analogy-based approach simplifies complex theoretical concepts and demonstrates how no single theory provides a complete picture, but together, they enrich our engagement with literature. By framing literary theory as a diverse set of interpretive tools, the article aims to make abstract theoretical paradigms more accessible and meaningful to students, educators, and general readers alike. Ultimately, it encourages readers to see theory not as rigid doctrine, but as a dynamic and creative means of deepening literary understanding.