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Literary Criticisman introduction
What is it? Literary Criticism borrows concepts from other disciplines to
analyze a work more perceptively Not evaluative – assumes we know work is worth reading –
analytical – helps us to better understand the work
Who writes it? Academics – generally college professors with PhDs in
literature
Why do they spend their time that way? Because it’s difficult to evaluate art Because it’s awesome
Traditional Approaches Sometimes seen as a necessary first step that precedes other
approaches Historical/Biographical
Concerned with exact meaning and impact on original audience (less important is the significance for today’s readers)
Sociological/Political/Economic Moral/Philosophical
purpose of literature is to teach morality and probe psychological issues
Practical Assistance of underscoring subtle but important meanings Danger that a life story can overwhelm or distort work – should
amplify meaning, not drown out
Formalistic Approach (New Criticism) “AP” style Looks at art as an organic form What the work says and how it says it are inseparable issues
- makes for more careful readers Close reading/explications No need to go outside the text – meaning is all there
Connotation, allusions, pattern/structure
Feminist Approaches Comes from idea that the culture is so dominated by men
that it is full of unexamined male-produced assumptions Gradual shift from negative view of how men write women to
positive view of how female authors are redefining themselves
Overall: How does gender influence literature?
Psychological Approach (Freudian) Idea is that great literature truly reflects life Freud admitted that he had learned a great deal about
psychology by studying literature NY Times article! Example:
Characters as id, ego, superego, operating under pleasure principle, reality principle, morality principle
Mythological/Archetypal Assumption that myth is a more profound reality (not factual) Attempts to create connections in the art (literature) across
time and cultures Affinities with religion, anthropology, and cultural history Connective and communal
Bottom Line When we read Literary Criticism, it is not gospel. It is one
academic’s interpretation of a text that they come to by filtering the text through a lens from another study (except formalistic – that’s our deal)
We will read Literary Criticism to gain a broader understanding and to deepen our analysis and discussions of texts
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