I hope, it is quite helpful for the beginner to understand the concept of contemporary Literary theory. Students can take the help to study and understand the basics of contemporary literary theory. It includes concise concepts, tenets and components to make the strategic study for competitive examination at one specific study material.
Concept of Literary theory and criticism enables the learner to understand the theory with more simplicity and lucid way. it helps the students as a concise study material to understand and learn the theory.
Concept of Literary theory and criticism enables the learner to understand the theory with more simplicity and lucid way. it helps the students as a concise study material to understand and learn the theory.
Take the quiz to discover what poem you have been assigned to discus.docxbriankimberly26463
Take the quiz to discover what poem you have been assigned to discuss this week;
"On Being Brought From Africa to America" By: Phillis Wheatley
2.Look through the critical approaches in the Week 4 lesson, and CHOOSE 2 that you think could be used to analyze the poem you chose.
Literary Critical Theory:
Interpretive Strategies
1. Historicism considers the literary work in light of "what really happened" during the period reflected in that work. It insists that to understand a piece, we need to understand the author's biography and social background, ideas circulating at the time, and the cultural milieu. Historicism also "finds significance in the ways a particular work resembles or differs from other works of its period and/or genre," and therefore may involve source studies. It may also include examination of philology and linguistics. It is typically a discipline involving impressively extensive research.
2. New Criticism examines the relationships between a text's ideas and its form, "the connection between what a text says and the way it's said." New Critics/Formalists "may find tension, irony, or paradox in this relation, but they usually resolve it into unity and coherence of meaning." New Critics look for patterns of sound, imagery, narrative structure, point of view, and other techniques discernible on close reading of "the work itself." They insist that the meaning of a text should not be confused with the author's intentions nor the text's affective dimension--its effects on the reader. The objective determination as to "how a piece works" can be found through close focus and analysis, rather than through extraneous and erudite special knowledge.
3. Archetypal criticism "traces cultural and psychological 'myths' that shape the meaning of texts." It argues that "certain literary archetypes determine the structure and function of individual literary works," and therefore that literature imitates not the world but rather the "total dream of humankind." Archetypes (recurring images or symbols, patterns, universal experiences) may include motifs such as the quest or the heavenly ascent, symbols such as the apple or snake, or images such as crucifixion--all laden with meaning already when employed in a particular work.
4. Psychoanalytic criticism adopts the methods of "reading" employed by Freud and later theorists to interpret what a text really indicates. It argues that "unresolved and sometimes unconscious ambivalences in the author's own life may lead to a disunified literary work," and that the literary work is a manifestation of the author's own neuroses. Psychoanalytic critics focus on apparent dilemmas and conflicts in a work and "attempt to read an author's own family life and traumas into the actions of their characters," realizing that the psychological material will be expressed indirectly, encoded (similar to dreams) through principles such as "condensation," "displacement," and "symbolism."
5. Femini.
English 205Masterworks of English LiteratureHANDOUTSCritica.docxYASHU40
English 205:
Masterworks of English Literature
HANDOUTS
Critical Approaches to Literature
Plain text version of this document.
Described below are nine common critical approaches to the literature. Quotations are from X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia’s Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama, Sixth Edition (New York: HarperCollins, 1995), pages 1790-1818.
· Formalist Criticism: This approach regards literature as “a unique form of human knowledge that needs to be examined on its own terms.” All the elements necessary for understanding the work are contained within the work itself. Of particular interest to the formalist critic are the elements of form—style, structure, tone, imagery, etc.—that are found within the text. A primary goal for formalist critics is to determine how such elements work together with the text’s content to shape its effects upon readers.
· Biographical Criticism: This approach “begins with the simple but central insight that literature is written by actual people and that understanding an author’s life can help readers more thoroughly comprehend the work.” Hence, it often affords a practical method by which readers can better understand a text. However, a biographical critic must be careful not to take the biographical facts of a writer’s life too far in criticizing the works of that writer: the biographical critic “focuses on explicating the literary work by using the insight provided by knowledge of the author’s life.... [B]iographical data should amplify the meaning of the text, not drown it out with irrelevant material.”
· Historical Criticism: This approach “seeks to understand a literary work by investigating the social, cultural, and intellectual context that produced it—a context that necessarily includes the artist’s biography and milieu.” A key goal for historical critics is to understand the effect of a literary work upon its original readers.
· Gender Criticism: This approach “examines how sexual identity influences the creation and reception of literary works.” Originally an offshoot of feminist movements, gender criticism today includes a number of approaches, including the so-called “masculinist” approach recently advocated by poet Robert Bly. The bulk of gender criticism, however, is feminist and takes as a central precept that the patriarchal attitudes that have dominated western thought have resulted, consciously or unconsciously, in literature “full of unexamined ‘male-produced’ assumptions.” Feminist criticism attempts to correct this imbalance by analyzing and combatting such attitudes—by questioning, for example, why none of the characters in Shakespeare’s play Othello ever challenge the right of a husband to murder a wife accused of adultery. Other goals of feminist critics include “analyzing how sexual identity influences the reader of a text” and “examin[ing] how the images of men and women in imaginative literature reflect or reject the social forces that have historically kept th ...
Browse these common theories. When considered singularly and collectively, they're useful approaches to great works of literature for interpreting and finding meaning.
Literary Theory New Criticism A theory that is not concerned w.docxsmile790243
Literary Theory
New Criticism
A theory that is not concerned with context -- historical, biographical, intellectual; not interested in the intent, affect or meaning of the author or the reader-response reaction of the reader. It is solely concerned with the text itself -- its language and organization; how the text speaks for itself. This approach would involve an intense reading of the text (used mostly in poetry analysis) in which the language and style is closely examined, without giving any consideration to the meaning or emotion of the writer or the reader (also known as Formalist Criticism)
Reader-Response
The reader takes an active role in deciphering meaning. A poem, for instance, has no real existence or meaning until it is read; its meaning can only be discussed by its readers. We differ about interpretations only because our ways of reading differ. It is the reader who applies the code in which the message is written and in this way actualizes what would otherwise remain only potentially meaningful. Hence, the reader is not a passive recipient of an entirely formulated meaning, but an active agent in the making of meaning. The meaning of the text is never self-formulated by the writer; the reader must act upon the textual material in order to produce meaning.
Feminist Theory
Since traditional literary theory is based on patriarchal systems (male-dominated writing and criticism), the feminist critics wish to divorce themselves from any one particular past theory as they focus on redefining literature from a feminine perspective. In so doing, critics focus on female characters; redefining women’s roles in literature and life, and examining the treatment of women in literature from a woman’s point of view.
Historicism
In Historicism, critics view literary history as part of a larger cultural history. Historicists studied literature in the context of social, political and cultural history, and they viewed a nation’s literary history as an expression of its evolving spirit. Studying the particular period of history during which a piece of literature was written could give the reader the necessary background on that writer’s point of view and his influences. Biographical Criticism examines an author's life history in order to gain insight into his literary work.
Psychological Criticism
Critics view literature through the lens of modern psychology, exploring human behavior (conscious, subconscious and unconscious), literary language and symbolism. Psychological criticism often employs three approaches: the creative process of the author, the author's motivation and behavior, and the psychoanalysis of an author's fictional characters. Sociological Criticism examines literature in the cultural, economic and political context in which it is written or received, and explores the relationship between artist and society.
Marxist Criticism
A form of sociological criticism which focuses on the economic and political elements of art. M ...
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Contemporary Literary Theory _ Study Material
1. Contemporary Literary Theory LN511
Unit :1
Introduction Background and Types of Literary Theory
Study Material
Introduction:
Literary theory refers to the systematic study and interpretation of literature, aiming to uncover
the underlying principles, structures, and meanings that shape literary works. It provides
readers, critics, and scholars with analytical tools to explore the complexities of literature and
to understand how different literary elements interact to create meaning.
Literary theory can encompass a wide range of approaches, each offering distinct perspectives
on how literature functions and how it should be interpreted. These approaches can vary based
on historical, cultural, and philosophical contexts, leading to the development of various types
of literary theory. Each type offers a unique lens through which literary works can be analyzed
and understood.
In this discussion, we will delve into the background of literary theory and explore some of the
major types or schools of thought that have emerged over time.
Background of Literary Theory:
The formal study of literary theory can be traced back to ancient times when scholars and
philosophers began to analyze the nature of storytelling, aesthetics, and language. However,
the modern development of literary theory gained significant momentum in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries. This period saw the emergence of various movements and schools of
thought that sought to address questions about the nature of literature, its purpose, and how it
relates to broader cultural and societal contexts.
Types of Literary Theory:
Formalism: (New Criticism):
Formalism, also known as New Criticism, emerged in the early 20th century and focuses on
the close analysis of literary texts themselves, disregarding external factors such as authorial
intention or historical context. Formalists believe that the meaning of a text is derived from its
formal elements, such as structure, language, imagery, and symbolism. This approach,
championed by figures like T.S. Eliot and Cleanth Brooks, focused on close textual analysis,
examining the internal coherence of a work and its formal elements.
2. Tenets: Focuses solely on the intrinsic elements of a literary work, such as language, form,
structure, and symbols. Rejects the need to consider external influences like authorial intent or
historical context.
Proponents: Cleanth Brooks, John Crowe Ransom, T.S. Eliot.
Structuralism: Structuralism, influenced by linguistics, seeks to uncover the underlying
structures that shape literary works. It emphasizes the relationships between elements within a
text and how those elements contribute to the overall meaning. Structuralist analysis often
involves identifying binary oppositions and patterns.
Tenets: Emphasizes the underlying structures and patterns that shape literature, considering
how elements relate to one another within a text. Aims to uncover universal structures in
narrative and language.
Proponents: Ferdinand de Saussure, Roland Barthes, Claude Lévi-Strauss.
Marxist Criticism: Marxist literary theory explores how literature reflects and interacts with
the socioeconomic conditions of its time. It examines how class struggles, power dynamics,
and economic factors are represented in literature, emphasizing issues of inequality and social
injustice.
Tenets: Analyzes literature through the lens of class struggle, economics, and social power
dynamics. Examines how literature reflects and critiques societal inequalities.
Proponents: Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Raymond Williams.
Feminist Criticism: Feminist theory examines how literature reflects and perpetuates gender
roles and inequalities. It focuses on the representation of women, the portrayal of gender
dynamics, and the ways in which female authors have historically been marginalized or
excluded.
Tenets: Explores gender roles, representation of women, and issues of patriarchy and sexism
in literature. Advocates for the recognition of women's contributions to literature.
Proponents: Virginia Woolf, Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler.
Psychoanalytic Criticism: This approach, influenced by Sigmund Freud's theories, delves into
the psychological motivations of characters and authors. Psychoanalytic critics analyze
symbols, metaphors, and character behavior to uncover hidden desires, conflicts, and
unconscious thoughts.
Tenets: Draws from Freudian psychology to analyze characters' motivations, desires, and
unconscious conflicts. Examines how symbols and metaphors reflect the human psyche.
Proponents: Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan, Carl Jung.
3. Postcolonial Criticism: Postcolonial theory explores the impact of colonialism and
imperialism on literature and culture. It examines how literature from formerly colonized
regions responds to and critiques the effects of colonization, as well as how cultural identities
are constructed and contested.
Tenets: Examines the impact of colonialism and imperialism on literature and culture.
Analyzes how postcolonial texts respond to colonial legacies and construct new cultural
identities.
Proponents: Edward Said, Homi Bhabha, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak.
Reader-Response Criticism: This theory emphasizes the role of the reader in creating
meaning from a text. It suggests that interpretations of work are shaped by the reader's personal
experiences, beliefs, and cultural context.
Tenets: Focuses on the role of the reader in interpreting and creating meaning from a text.
Considers how readers' personal experiences and perspectives influence their understanding.
Proponents: Wolfgang Iser, Louise Rosenblatt, Stanley Fish.
Deconstruction: Deconstruction challenges the idea of fixed meanings in literature. Developed
by Jacques Derrida, this theory highlights the instability of language and the presence of
contradictions within texts. It aims to reveal underlying assumptions and complexities in
language and thought.
Tenets: Challenges the stability of language and fixed meanings. Reveals inherent
contradictions within texts and questions traditional binaries. Highlights the complexity of
interpretation.
Proponents: Jacques Derrida, Paul de Man, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak.
Contemporary Period:
Cultural Studies and New Historicism: These approaches focus on the relationship between
literature, culture, and history, often considering how texts both shape and are shaped by their
contexts.
Poststructuralism and Deconstruction: Figures like Jacques Derrida questioned the stability
of meaning and language, leading to deconstructionist analyses that explore contradictions
within texts.
4. Queer Theory: This theory examines how sexuality and gender identity influence literature
and culture, with scholars like Judith Butler contributing to its development.
These are just a few examples of the many types of literary theory that exist. Each type offers
a distinct lens through which to view and analyze literary works, contributing to a deeper
understanding of their complexity and significance. It's important to note that these approaches
are not mutually exclusive, and many scholars incorporate multiple theories to explore different
aspects of a text. Each having with its own set of tenets and influential proponents. The
diversity of these approaches enriches the study of literature by offering multiple angles from
which to engage with and analyze literary works. It's important to note that theorists often draw
from multiple theories to develop nuanced interpretations.
References:
Eagleton, Terry. "Marxist Literary Theory." A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature,
edited by Wilfred L. Guerin, et al., Oxford UP, 2019, pp. 117-135.
Brooks, Cleanth, and Robert Penn Warren. Understanding Fiction. 3rd ed., Appleton-Century-
Crofts, 1979.
Frye, Northrop. "Archetypal Criticism: Theory of Myths." Modern Criticism and Theory: A
Reader, edited by David Lodge and Nigel Wood, Routledge, 2008, pp. 67-76.
Loomba, Ania. "Shakespeare, Race, and Colonialism." The Tempest: A Case Study in Critical
Controversy, edited by Gerald Graff et al., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001, pp. 240-254.
Dr. Aareena Nazneen
Assistant professor
Integral University, Lucknow
aareenaz@iul.ac.in