Cultural Criticism Does not offer a single way of analyzing literature – will borrow concepts from deconstruction, Marxist, gender, race and psychology theories Looks at culture for its dissensions and conflicts A chief goal is to understand the nature of social power as reflected in “texts”. The relevant mission of cultural studies is to identify both the overt and covert values reflected in a cultural practice. Tries to trace out and understand the structures of meaning that hold those assumptions in place and give them the appearance of objective representation. Seeks to portray social, political and psychological conflicts it masks Often asks questions about what social class created a work of art and what class(es) served as its audience.

Cultural Criticism Concern with social inequality between the sexes and races. A political enterprise that views literary analysis as a means of furthering social justice Notion of boundaries is one of the more helpful metaphors for thinking about cultural studies. An additional area of cultural studies deals with gender criticism – specifically gay and lesbian studies. This examines the representation of sexual orientation a text, and with the social and cultural implications of these representations. Will examine a text for themes of heterosexual privilege, sexual identity and affiliation, homoerotic imagery and power imbalances based on sexual orientation. Also looks to race and how it is represented in the text. Will examine for racial stereotypes, themes of inequalities based on race or ethnicity, and racial identity and affiliation. What one sees most clearly are a commitment to examining issues of class, race, and gender

Cultural Criticism Advantages Provides new social, political, and historical insights Disadvantages Notorious for its complex intellectual analysis of mundane materials No single way of analysis