Out of the following, which bibliographical entry follows the style prescribed in MLA Handbook (8th edition)?

The correct option is:
Habib, M.A.R. Modern Literary Criticism and Theory: A History. Blackwell Publishing, 2008.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

To understand why this is the correct citation according to the MLA Handbook (8th edition), let us break down the core rules introduced in this edition for citing a book:
1. Author's Name: The author's name is listed with the last name first, followed by a comma, the first name/initials, and a period (e.g., Habib, M.A.R.). This makes Option 2 incorrect as it lists the name in normal order.
2. Title of the Book: The title of the book must be in italics and followed by a period (e.g., Modern Literary Criticism and Theory: A History.).
3. Publisher: The name of the publisher is listed after the title, followed by a comma (e.g., Blackwell Publishing,).
4. Publication Date: The year of publication follows the publisher, followed by a period (e.g., 2008.).
5. Omission of City of Publication: A major change in the 8th edition of the MLA Handbook is that the city/place of publication is no longer included for book citations. Prior editions (like the 7th edition) required the city (e.g., New Delhi). Since Options 2, 3, and 4 all include "New Delhi", they do not conform to the 8th edition guidelines.

Therefore, Habib, M.A.R. Modern Literary Criticism and Theory: A History. Blackwell Publishing, 2008. is the only entry that correctly follows the MLA 8th edition style guidelines.