1. New Historicist Theory
An Introduction

2. New Historicist Theory
considers historical context present at time of publication and in the text’s setting
∴ meaning changes based on society, politics, economics, and culture of both time periods
requires outside research
Source: Historic Houses Association

3. How can you apply this theory?
Try asking questions like…
What global, national, and local events were important…
at the time of publication?
at the time in which the story is set?
How might those events have influenced the text?

4. Application to Maleficent
Make some inferences.
What’s the setting of this text?
What do we know about that time period in history? (Is extra research needed?)
Why is this setting significant to the story being told?
What do we know about our modern society?
Why is it important that this (markedly different) retelling was produced today?

5. Marxist Theory
An Introduction

6. + social-class membership societal organization
Marxist Theory
social class matters
affects economic, political, and social advantages
impacts beliefs, values, perceptions, and ways of thinking
power struggles are significant
highlight conflicts between “haves” and “have nots”
∴ meaning is made by exploring who has power and why
economic power
+ social-class membership
societal organization

7. How can you apply this theory?
Try asking questions like…
Who/What struggles for power? Why?
How does the social class of the characters play a role?
What widespread (or dominant) beliefs are present in the text?
Are there other beliefs that clash with them?

8. Application to Maleficent
Social groups
Plot characters using a social ladder
Primary power struggles?
any conflicts that could be “class” conflicts
On your own...
Think about your own social position, either at IHS or in our American society. How has that impacted your reading?