1. Literary Criticism
an introduction

2. 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

3. Who writes it?
Academics – generally college professors with PhDs in literature

4. Why do they spend their time that way?
Because it’s difficult to evaluate art
Because it’s awesome

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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