A review of possible "readings" of texts

1. A review of different literary
“readings” or perspectives
… (points-of-view)
The basics for Advanced English
critical analysis

2. Points to consider
• Literature expresses the ideas, beliefs and values of a
culture
• Literature of any significance actively engages in
controversy or argument
• Literature reveals power struggles (sexual power,
economic power, social power, and so on) and how
this operates and with what consequences

3. Points to consider
• Literature reveals how the author, reader, and
characters demonstrate an awareness or lack of
awareness of their economic and social situations
and what oppresses them
• Literature and authors can manipulate readers into
sympathizing with rather than critiquing the
dominant (and oppressive) social order.

6. What is Capitalism?
A)“..An economic
system in which
money is
invested in
business
ventures with
the goal of
making a profit”

7. •B) Role of market competition and
entrepreneurial abilities
•C) Principles of laissez faire “let
people do as they please” (to make
money… raises questions of ethics and
morality)

8. • Capitalism and market competition
fueled the Industrial Revolution
• Wealth increased the standard of
living for some.

9. Capitalism and its Impacts
A) The Wealth of Nations Adam Smith-defended free
economy, claimed that government need not
interfere in the economy.
B)Role of market competition and entrepreneurial
abilities

10. C) Impact on standard of living
and the growth of the middle
class
D) Dissatisfaction with poor
working conditions and the
unequal distribution of wealth
in society

11. Marxist Literary Criticism

12. Marxism and Socialism
• Response to the injustices of capitalism
• Importance of redistribution of wealth to
the communists

13. The Socialists:
Utopians & Marxists
 People as a society would operate and own the
means of production, not individuals.
 Their goal was a society that benefited
everyone, not just a rich, well-connected few.
 Tried to build perfect communities [utopias].

14. Socialism
•Means of production are owned
by the public and operate by a
single party for the welfare of all.
•Grew out of optimistic view of
human nature and response to
capitalism

15. Communism
•A form of complete socialism in
which the means of production—
all land, mines, factories,
railroads, and businesses—would
be owned by all people.

16. Key Ideas of a Marxist perspective
• What we think of as world view is actually the product
of the dominant class
• Marxism generally focuses on the clash
between the dominant and repressed classes

17. Feminist literary criticism
Feminist Reading of literature

18. What is it?
A concern with:
• Women's’ role in
society as portrayed
through texts
• Woman as a
construct through
literature

19. What feminist perspectives do?
• Rediscover texts written by women
• Revalue women’s experience
• Examine representations of women in literature
• Challenge the view of woman as “Other”
• Examine and challenge patriarchal roles
• Examine language as a tool of gender construction
• Discuss social versus biological difference
• Question the “death of the author”

20. Feminist terminology
• Patriarchy – in a society the male is the centre of
authority
▫ This is what is meant by a patriarchal society
• Hegemony – leadership; predominance.
▫ A hegemony is a dominant group or a system that
creates the rules we live by
• Gender – term used when distinguishing male
and female in a variety of disciplines