Critical Critical TheoriesTheories

A Matter of Perspective

History of Literary CriticismHistory of Literary Criticism

Biographical/ Historical ApproachBiographical/ Historical Approach Used in late 19thCUsed in late 19thC Seeks to understand works by looking at Seeks to understand works by looking at

the lives and times of the authors.the lives and times of the authors. Only by understanding the authors’ Only by understanding the authors’

perspectives could one truly understand perspectives could one truly understand the text.the text.

Only one correct interpretation possible.Only one correct interpretation possible.

History Cont…History Cont…

New CriticismNew Criticism Early 20thCEarly 20thC It was developed as a reaction to the It was developed as a reaction to the

historical/biographical approachhistorical/biographical approach Focuses on the text itself and disregards Focuses on the text itself and disregards

the life and times of the author.the life and times of the author. Textual support is its legacy.Textual support is its legacy.

History Cont…History Cont…

Critical TheoriesCritical Theories Gained popularity in the 1970’sGained popularity in the 1970’s Focuses on multiple interpretations of a Focuses on multiple interpretations of a

single text. (Not only one possible single text. (Not only one possible interpretation)interpretation)

Not only is the text important, but the Not only is the text important, but the reader must also be analyzedreader must also be analyzed

Everything still requires textual support Everything still requires textual support (owes debt to New Criticism)(owes debt to New Criticism)

Let’s look a little closer at Let’s look a little closer at our 5 theories.our 5 theories.

(which is not an exhaustive list)(which is not an exhaustive list)

New CriticismNew Criticism Included in this list because it is still Included in this list because it is still

widely used.widely used. Focuses on “organic unity” of a text. Focuses on “organic unity” of a text.

(Overall theme)(Overall theme) Critics must use elements like Critics must use elements like

symbolism, metaphor, characters and symbolism, metaphor, characters and such to support theme.such to support theme.

Only Only ONEONE correct way to interpret the correct way to interpret the text.text.

Questions New Critics Ask:Questions New Critics Ask:

1.1. What is the single overarching meaning of the What is the single overarching meaning of the work?work?

2.2. How do the elements of the story (plot, setting, How do the elements of the story (plot, setting, symbols, etc) contribute to its meaning?symbols, etc) contribute to its meaning?

3.3. Are there any conflicts amongst the elements Are there any conflicts amongst the elements which take away from the overall meaning?which take away from the overall meaning?

Reader Response TheoryReader Response Theory

Created as a reaction to New CriticismCreated as a reaction to New Criticism Examines the relationship between Examines the relationship between

individual readers and the textindividual readers and the text Everyone will take something different Everyone will take something different

from the text.from the text. Examine elements in the text that lead Examine elements in the text that lead

you to develop a certain point of view, you to develop a certain point of view, or predict certain events in the story.or predict certain events in the story.

Questions Reader Response Critics Questions Reader Response Critics Ask:Ask:

1.1. Are there any characters in this story that remind me Are there any characters in this story that remind me of someone I know? How does this affect my of someone I know? How does this affect my understanding of the work?understanding of the work?

2.2. What do certain scenes look like when I picture them? What do certain scenes look like when I picture them? What techniques has the author used to create this What techniques has the author used to create this image?image?

3.3. What are the ambiguous or unexplained parts? How What are the ambiguous or unexplained parts? How do I understand them? Why?do I understand them? Why?

4.4. How might others’ interpretations of this piece be How might others’ interpretations of this piece be different from mine? Why?different from mine? Why?

5.5. How might I have understood this work differently a How might I have understood this work differently a year ago, or a year from now?year ago, or a year from now?

Marxist TheoryMarxist Theory Based on Karl Marx’s ideas on class Based on Karl Marx’s ideas on class

and economicsand economics Society is made up of “upper” (rich) and Society is made up of “upper” (rich) and

“lower” (poor) classes“lower” (poor) classes Most (if not all) conflict is a direct result Most (if not all) conflict is a direct result

of class inequalityof class inequality Capitalism creates false value based on Capitalism creates false value based on

rarity not usefullnessrarity not usefullness Exposes repressive ideologies Exposes repressive ideologies

(partiotism, consumerism, etc.)(partiotism, consumerism, etc.)

Questions Marxist Theorists Ask:Questions Marxist Theorists Ask:

1.1. Does the work reinforce (intentionally or not) classist Does the work reinforce (intentionally or not) classist values?values?

2.2. How might this work be interpreted as a critique of How might this work be interpreted as a critique of classist values?classist values?

3.3. Does the work in some ways support a Marxist Does the work in some ways support a Marxist agenda and in other ways condemn it? In other words, agenda and in other ways condemn it? In other words, is it ideologically conflicted? (Intentionally or not)is it ideologically conflicted? (Intentionally or not)

4.4. How does the work reflect the socioeconomic How does the work reflect the socioeconomic conditions of the time it is set?conditions of the time it is set?

5.5. Does this work critique or condone any oppressive Does this work critique or condone any oppressive ideologies?ideologies?

Feminist TheoryFeminist Theory Analyze the roles women play in our world Analyze the roles women play in our world Traditionally the white male point of view has Traditionally the white male point of view has

been treated as the “universal view” been treated as the “universal view” Women and (other cultures) have been seen Women and (other cultures) have been seen

as “alternative viewpoints.”as “alternative viewpoints.” Patriarchy undermines women’s freedom, Patriarchy undermines women’s freedom,

and treats this lack of freedom as “the natural and treats this lack of freedom as “the natural order.”order.”

Women are objectified either by being Women are objectified either by being blatantly repressed or elevated (put on a blatantly repressed or elevated (put on a pedestal)pedestal)

Questions Feminist Theorists Questions Feminist Theorists Ask:Ask:

1.1. Are there any examples of universalism? (especially Are there any examples of universalism? (especially from a patriarchical perspective)from a patriarchical perspective)

2.2. What does this work reveal about the operations of What does this work reveal about the operations of patriarchy? Does it reinforce or undermine patriarchy?patriarchy? Does it reinforce or undermine patriarchy?

3.3. How are women portrayed? How is this portrayal How are women portrayed? How is this portrayal related to the time period in which the piece is set?related to the time period in which the piece is set?

4.4. What does the work suggest about the relationship What does the work suggest about the relationship between race and gender?between race and gender?

5.5. What does the history of the work’s acceptance or What does the history of the work’s acceptance or rejection by the public and critics say about the rejection by the public and critics say about the operations of patriarchy?operations of patriarchy?

Postcolonial TheoryPostcolonial Theory Examine both acceptance and resistance to Examine both acceptance and resistance to

colonization colonization Usually takes the perspective of the colonizedUsually takes the perspective of the colonized While most colonizers have withdrawn their While most colonizers have withdrawn their

militaries and governments from colonized militaries and governments from colonized countries the legacy of colonization remainscountries the legacy of colonization remains

Postcolonial theorists look for colonial themes Postcolonial theorists look for colonial themes (first encounters, alienation, Othering, (first encounters, alienation, Othering, mimicry, exile, identity, etc.)mimicry, exile, identity, etc.)

Questions Postcolonial Theorists Questions Postcolonial Theorists Ask:Ask:

1.1. How does the text represent various aspects of How does the text represent various aspects of colonial oppression?colonial oppression?

2.2. What does the text reveal about the What does the text reveal about the politics/psychology of colonialism and anti-politics/psychology of colonialism and anti-colonialism?colonialism?

3.3. What does the work reveal about cultural differences? What does the work reveal about cultural differences? Are there any examples of “Othering?”Are there any examples of “Othering?”

4.4. How does the text represent the internal conflicts How does the text represent the internal conflicts among both the colonizers and the colonized?among both the colonizers and the colonized?

5.5. What does the work say about identity?What does the work say about identity?

OverallOverall

Shift from one answer to multiple Shift from one answer to multiple perspectives (objective vs. subjective)perspectives (objective vs. subjective)

““Death of the author” (focus on textual Death of the author” (focus on textual support rather than life of author)support rather than life of author)

There is a great deal of overlap between There is a great deal of overlap between theoriestheories

Interpret anything (everything) in your life Interpret anything (everything) in your life (Just don’t drive yourself crazy)(Just don’t drive yourself crazy)