Introduction to Literary Criticism -Formalist-Psychological-Mythological/Archetypal-Feminist-Historical-Biographical-Reception

Perspectives/Lenses When a critic, or reader, analyzes literature using a specific approach, it is called using a LENS to study the work. When a critic, or reader, analyzes literature using a specific approach, it is called using a LENS to study the work. For example, a critic may analyze a book using a historical lens, or through a historical perspective. For example, a critic may analyze a book using a historical lens, or through a historical perspective. The author is unaware of this perspective; it is used by the reader. The author is unaware of this perspective; it is used by the reader.

Formalist (New Criticism) Look for PATTERNS within text Look for PATTERNS within text Examine the relationship between form (style, structure, tone, imagery, etc) and content to determine how these elements work together to affect the readers Examine the relationship between form (style, structure, tone, imagery, etc) and content to determine how these elements work together to affect the readers Search for precision Search for precision Study of Thematic Patterns Study of Thematic Patterns No need for outside research; all the elements necessary for understanding the work are contained within the work No need for outside research; all the elements necessary for understanding the work are contained within the work

“A Temporary Matter” Formalist Lens The pattern of food is used to model the status of the marriage The pattern of food is used to model the status of the marriage Light and Dark Imagery- The couple is able to communicate in the dark what they cannot in the light. Light and Dark Imagery- The couple is able to communicate in the dark what they cannot in the light. There is a repeated motif of secrets. There is a repeated motif of secrets.

The first and last stories in the cycle most clearly evoke a balancing dialogue through a careful mirroring of their basic plots. "The Third and Final Continent" both reflects and reverses the plot of the first story, "A Temporary Matter." While the first story of the cycle relates the tale of the death of a son and the possible destruction of a marriage, the concluding story provides a tale of the survival and resilience of both the parents' marriage and their son. The plot of the final story emphasizes the "ordinary" heroism of the narrator and his wife through the trials of migrating across continents and coming to care for a stranger by contrasting the pair to the narrator's fragile mother and their life in the U.S. to the short stay of the astronauts on the moon (Brada-Williams). The first and last stories in the cycle most clearly evoke a balancing dialogue through a careful mirroring of their basic plots. "The Third and Final Continent" both reflects and reverses the plot of the first story, "A Temporary Matter." While the first story of the cycle relates the tale of the death of a son and the possible destruction of a marriage, the concluding story provides a tale of the survival and resilience of both the parents' marriage and their son. The plot of the final story emphasizes the "ordinary" heroism of the narrator and his wife through the trials of migrating across continents and coming to care for a stranger by contrasting the pair to the narrator's fragile mother and their life in the U.S. to the short stay of the astronauts on the moon (Brada-Williams).

Psychological Criticism Based on philosophies by Freud Based on philosophies by Freud Actions are motivated by forces beyond our control Actions are motivated by forces beyond our control Human behavior is moved by sexuality Human behavior is moved by sexuality

Some Freudian Terms ID- the source of our aggressions and DESIRES ID- the source of our aggressions and DESIRES EGO- part of the brain that regulates the ID EGO- part of the brain that regulates the ID SUPEREGO- represses the ID and drives those feelings toward the unconscious SUPEREGO- represses the ID and drives those feelings toward the unconscious

Psychological Approach to “A Temporary Matter” Shukumar has the DESIRE to tell his wife that he held their child. This DESIRE is his ID. Shukumar has the DESIRE to tell his wife that he held their child. This DESIRE is his ID. That Shukumar does not tell his wife his true feelings is a result of the workings of his EGO. That Shukumar does not tell his wife his true feelings is a result of the workings of his EGO. Shoba does not realize that she is so resentful of her husband, because that resentment is repressed by her SUPEREGO. Shoba does not realize that she is so resentful of her husband, because that resentment is repressed by her SUPEREGO.

Mythological/Archetypal Approach A search for universal symbols within a work (water, garden, red, desert, green, black, etc.) A search for universal symbols within a work (water, garden, red, desert, green, black, etc.) A search for familiar patterns – typically images (think death, birth, etc.) that have an impact on the reader A search for familiar patterns – typically images (think death, birth, etc.) that have an impact on the reader Romantic Heroes/ Quests Romantic Heroes/ Quests

Archetypal/ Mythological Approach to “A Temporary Matter” Food - “the snacks and treats consumed by characters, and even an abundance of ingredients, can reflect those characters' poverty (both monetary and emotional) and isolation. Although food functions as an important metaphor throughout” (Williams) Food - “the snacks and treats consumed by characters, and even an abundance of ingredients, can reflect those characters' poverty (both monetary and emotional) and isolation. Although food functions as an important metaphor throughout” (Williams)

Feminist Approach Often called the Gender Theory Approach Often called the Gender Theory Approach Gender determines roles and action in the work Gender determines roles and action in the work Identifies the gender roles in the work Identifies the gender roles in the work Question: Does the work reinforce or break down the patriarchy? Question: Does the work reinforce or break down the patriarchy?

Feminist Approach to ‘A Temporary Matter” Shukumar relies on Shoba to provide for him. He is surprised that she does not keep candles in the house for emergencies. She has a job and career while he is a struggling student. Even the meals he prepares for her come from a food stock that she prepared. Shukumar relies on Shoba to provide for him. He is surprised that she does not keep candles in the house for emergencies. She has a job and career while he is a struggling student. Even the meals he prepares for her come from a food stock that she prepared. Does the story support or break down the patriarchy? Does the story support or break down the patriarchy?

Historical Criticism Study the time period when the work was written (political, sociological, economic context of the time) Study the time period when the work was written (political, sociological, economic context of the time) Study the allusions to contemporary events within the text Study the allusions to contemporary events within the text Study the effect of a literary work upon its original readers – how does what is going on in the world impact the reader’s understanding of the text? Study the effect of a literary work upon its original readers – how does what is going on in the world impact the reader’s understanding of the text?

A look at “A Temporary Matter” using a historical lens While Lahiri was writing Interpreter of Maladies and after it was published, there was an influx of Indian culture into North America. While, Lahiri has stated that it played no part on her writing (Glassie), one can see the culture and conflicts of the time it in which it was written. Shukumar’s attempts to reconnect with his culture and the conflicts he faces could be due to this influx of Indian culture.

Biographical Lens A study of the author’s own life as reflected in the work A study of the author’s own life as reflected in the work A study of the work as a representation of the author’s personal beliefs and life A study of the work as a representation of the author’s personal beliefs and life

“A Temporary Matter” with a Biographical Lens Lahiri went to school and taught at Boston University; Shoba and Shukumar live in Boston. Lahiri’s family is from Calcutta; Shukumar’s family is also from Calcutta. **Lahiri struggled to find the balance between her American culture and her Indian culture. While this isn’t the most prevalent motif in “ATM”, it can be seen in her other stories and works.

**The title Interpreter of Maladies was created after Lahiri’s friend explained his job of translating for a doctor of Russian patients. Lahiri has said, “When I was putting the collection together, I knew from the beginning that this had to be the title story, because it best expresses, thematically, the predicament at the heart of the book—the dilemma, the difficulty, and often the impossibility of communicating emotional pain and affliction to others, as well as expressing it to ourselves. In some senses I view my position as a writer, in so far as I attempt to articulate these emotions, as a sort of interpreter as well.” (Interpreter of Maladies)

Reception Theory A look at who was reading the work when it was published- this is called readership A look at who was reading the work when it was published- this is called readership A look at the audience the work was meant for A look at the audience the work was meant for A look at any problems that may have arisen at the time of publication A look at any problems that may have arisen at the time of publication A look at when/why new editions were released A look at when/why new editions were released

Reception of “A Temporary Matter” The 1999 Best American Short Stories and the year 1999's O. Henry Award. The 1999 Best American Short Stories and the year 1999's O. Henry Award. “Because they focus on minorities, these texts have been slow to win recognition as world literature even though they depict transnational movements and identifications that diverge from those in canonical ethnic narratives” (Koshy). “Because they focus on minorities, these texts have been slow to win recognition as world literature even though they depict transnational movements and identifications that diverge from those in canonical ethnic narratives” (Koshy).

Works cited Bess, Jennifer. "Lahiri's INTERPRETER OF MALADIES." Explicator 62.2 (2004): Literary Reference Center. Web. 7 Sept Bess, Jennifer. "Lahiri's INTERPRETER OF MALADIES." Explicator 62.2 (2004): Literary Reference Center. Web. 7 Sept Glassie, John. “The Way We Live Now : QUESTIONS FOR JHUMPA LAHIRI; Crossing Over.” The New York Times Magazine. 7 Sept web. 7 Sept Glassie, John. “The Way We Live Now : QUESTIONS FOR JHUMPA LAHIRI; Crossing Over.” The New York Times Magazine. 7 Sept web. 7 Sept Interpreter of Maladies. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade and Reference Publishers web. 7 Sept Interpreter of Maladies. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade and Reference Publishers web. 7 Sept KOSHY, SUSAN. "Minority Cosmopolitanism." PMLA: Publications Of The Modern Language Association Of America126.3 (2011): Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Sept KOSHY, SUSAN. "Minority Cosmopolitanism." PMLA: Publications Of The Modern Language Association Of America126.3 (2011): Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Sept Noor, Ronny. "Interpreter Of Maladies (Book Review)." World Literature Today 74.2 (2000): 365. Literary Reference Center. Web. 7 Sept Noor, Ronny. "Interpreter Of Maladies (Book Review)." World Literature Today 74.2 (2000): 365. Literary Reference Center. Web. 7 Sept Williams, Laura Anh. "Foodways And Subjectivity In Jhumpa Lahiri's "Interpreter Of Maladies.." Melus 32.4 (2007): Literary Reference Center. Web. 7 Sept Williams, Laura Anh. "Foodways And Subjectivity In Jhumpa Lahiri's "Interpreter Of Maladies.." Melus 32.4 (2007): Literary Reference Center. Web. 7 Sept Zare, Bonnie. "Evolving Masculinities In Recent Stories By South Asian American Women." Journal Of Commonwealth Literature 42.3 (2007): Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Sept Zare, Bonnie. "Evolving Masculinities In Recent Stories By South Asian American Women." Journal Of Commonwealth Literature 42.3 (2007): Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Sept