Literary theory is an approach to analysing texts from theoretical points of view. These aspects give direction and support or divulge the essence behind the structure, characters and underlying themes of the text. “Literary criticism is fundamentally the estimation of the value of a particular text on such grounds as: the personal and/or cultural significance of the themes and the uses of language of a text; the insights and impact of a text; and the aesthetic production (or, performance) of the text; particularly as these areas are seen to be mutually dependent, supportive or inflective”

Romance is a topic which has been thoroughly covered throughout the world. Aspects of every literary approach can be discussed in relation to the creation and forming of romance as a topic within each different text.  Romance can be defined in a number of ways. A Harper 2001 edition stated romance as being a love story, a romantic spirit, sentiment, emotion, or desire. Alternatively, romance was also defined as “a novel or other prose narrative depicting heroic or marvellous deeds, pageantry, romantic exploits usually in a historical or imaginary setting 

These definitions form the starting point for my proposal. The two texts I am considering exploring are:  Pride and Prejudice written by critically acclaimed novelist, Jane Austen and the film form of the biography of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman - The Duchess. The topic under consideration is ‘Romance as an ideological construction in canonical and popular contemporary texts’.

 Michael Foucault is a strongly acclaimed theorist whose primary discussions evoke argument in discussions regarding authorial functions and discourses.