Literary Criticism By Worth Weller Criticism The process of applying a set of critical thinking tools to illuminate a text Provides an array of possibilities Not meant to be exclusive Not meant to replace simple enjoyment of the text But may enhance both the pleasure and meaning of the experience of reading Sociological Criticism Argues that literature is profoundly affected by: The societal forces that surround authors The societal forces that surround readers Usually divided into two schools: Feminist Marxist (Stanford 85) Feminist Criticism Western civilization historically male- dominated Thus Western lit reflects patriarchal themes Views female ideals, values and points of view Omission of women from the canon (Stanford 85) History of Feminism History of Feminism History of Feminism History of Feminism Margaret Sanger Birth control pioneer Early feminist, Jailed when she opened a family planning clinicJailed Kate Chopin Lustful Suicide Charlotte Perkins Gilman Womens place in society Must be mad not to accept and appreciate that place Male doctors Other Literary Feminists Henrik Ibsen the Dolls House Susan Glaspell A Jury of Her Peers, Trifles Sylvia Plath The Bell JarSylvia Plath Marxist Criticism Focuses on ideological content and conflict: Culture Race Class Power Corrects social injustices (Meyer 68) Marxist Critics Argue that literature is political in nature Either challenges or supports economic oppression Or if ignore class conflicts then supports them by supporting the status quo Pay more attention to content and theme than to form Believe individual conflict is part of the greater class struggle (Meyer 68) Marxist Readings Would examine the sociological connections between Kate Chopin and Charlotte Perkins Gilman Other Examples Langston Hughes William Faulkner The Beats The Doors Frederick Douglass Toni Morrison Zora Neal Hurston Works Cited Meyer, Michael, ed. Thinking and Writing About Literature. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, Stanford, Judith, ed. Responding to Literature. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2006.