1. Introduction: Empson as literary theorist: from ambiguity to complex words and beyond Christopher Norris
2. Empsonian honesty and the beginnings of individualism Gary Wihl
3. Empson, Leavis, and the challenge of Milton Willaim E. Cain
4. Empson's Satan: an ambiguous character of the seventh type Paul H. Fry
5. Compacted doctrines: Empson and the meanings of words Alan Durant and Colin MacCabe
6. Figural narrative and plot construction: Empson on pastoral Pamela McCallum
7. More lurid figures: de Man reading Empson Neil Hertz
8. 'Fool' and 'pharmakon' William Righter
9. William Empson's cosmicomiques Jean-Jacques Lecerle
10. Empson as teacher: the Sheffield years Philip Hobsbaum
Index.
