Literary Criticism an 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