"The Problem of Interpretation" provides an introduction to the fundamental issues of literary studies against the background of the challenge posed by 'post-modernism'. Present-day theoretical concepts and the way they hang together are described, discussed and classified in terms of the history of theory, scienctific/academic thinking and society. This foregrounds problems, preconditions and procedures in literary studies that are an integral and indispensable feature of present-day discussion in this field.