New Criticism &

New Critical Approach to Narratives

New Criticism: Major Theorists

T.S. Eliot• objective correlative:

The poem is an impersonal formulation of common feelings and emotions. (textbook p. 40)

• emphasis on structural analysis• the poet as a catalyst (42)

I. A. Richards, etc.

New Criticism: Major Views

A poem is autonomous, with an ontological status.

Intentional Fallacy, Affective Fallacy Poetry offers a different kind of truth

(poetic truth) than science.

Heresy of Paraphrase

Parts Denotations, connotations

and etymological roots Allusions Prosody Relationships

among

the various elements

Whole

Themes

pattern, tension, ambiguities, paradox,

contradictions

New Criticism: Methodology (1) Poetry

Parts Point of view, dialogue, setting, Plot Characterization Relationshipsamong the various elements

Whole

Themesharmonized

pattern, tension, ambiguities, paradox,

contradictions

New Criticism: Methodology (1) Narrative

母親 : Introduction & the major structure

StructureStructure: 1. no ending 2. Divided into two partQuestionQuestion: How are the two parts different? How are

the two parts related to each other? AnswersAnswers: 1. The contrast between Ms. 吳 and the

mother 2. Opposition, parallel, and symmetry between

the setting, 3. the point of view, 4. 貓耳 of the two parts

Ms. 吳 the mother 1. Ms. 吳’ s appearance:

sensual, a lot of colors, sexual

2. implication from 貓耳’ s point of view1. She is the object of 貓耳

’ s desire. 2. Images for her: 像刺蝟

似的刷子—與其他意象3. She is beautiful and

desirable but dangerous.

the mother: an interior

monologue

• The first part:1. The mother’s whole-day

lying on the bed // the inactive environment

2. 貓耳 is a child. • Settings:

1. The sun shining, quiet, 整個世界不動 ; 尤加利樹

2. 碾石機的聲音3. 王文興 uses the

environment to match/reflect the moods of the mother: esp. the cloud

The second part: 1. When 貓耳 is waiting

for Ms. 吳 ; feels like a hero

2. A lot of motion is described

Settings: 大榕樹 ; 吳小姐家

the settings and plot of the two parts

The mother’s interior monologue1. emotional

2. The mother’s mind is not quite stable.

3. Four men: 貓耳 , 谷方 , 外國老醫生 , 年輕醫生 The husband/doctor-wife relationship

• Cf. “Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkin Gilman

4.4. QuestionQuestion: Why is she so worried about her son?

The story’s main idea and imagery1. The story is about a mother’s worries about and

fears over her son, while the son needs to be independent. The sentiments of both are conveyed through the description of the settings and the images associated with them, as well as the images associated with the people around them.

2. e.g. The imagesThe images associated with the mother are inactive ones and related to her sickness. The images associated with Ms. 吳 mean life and sexuality.

How does the mother present 貓耳 ?

1. 貓耳 is presented as a young boy, in need of being protected.

2. 貓耳 as a young man, wanting to be independent.

3. The mother confuses the past with the present, and she also confuses the people.

4. She presents herself as “she,” the third person.

5. She expects the son could cure her as the old doctor cures her.---a complete dependence of the mother’s part.

Why is the mother so worried about her son?

• 沒有關係﹐我們已經有了貓耳了．•There could be a miscarriage. She expected the second baby but lost it. That’s why she holds on to 貓耳 so much.

• 醫生我是你的乖孩子嗎？ ……貓耳生下來是個老醫生？• Confusing the son with the doctor, expecting 貓耳 to cure her, or to be the only cure for her illness.

•Dependant on the son. Submissive to the doctors and the husband.

母親 : Patterns

Setting: 碾石工廠 土丘；

Setting 的意象 :太陽﹐河流﹐雲

角色︰母親﹐ 貓耳﹐ 吳小姐

谷芳 醫生（年輕﹐老醫生﹚

母親： 句型

主要論點︰〈母親〉將母親的焦慮與兒子亟欲獨立的心態對比﹐並利用背景、意象與不同的敘述法烘托二者的不同。

“A Rose for Emily”

Major Argument: Southern aristocracy, which Emily is

first trapped in, holds on to and then gets to represent, is viewed by the town people as a past both dignified and degraded.

Emily in “A Rose for Emily” Southern aristocracy: the Griersons Emily is first trapped in and then holds

on to the past. e.g. p. 26. She once tries to break out of it, but she

ends up representing it. (her house, p. 25; her images)

Emily // house, broken into by the town people

“A Rose for Emily”

The narrators’ views of Emily (1) After her father is dead, “glad” (2) When she goes out with Homer Barren, “she

will marry him.” (3) After Barren disappears “She will kill herself.” (4) the smell “feel sorry for her.” (5) the tax “dear, inescapable, impervious, tranquil

and perverse.” (6) After Emily is dead. ?

The narrators in “A Rose”

The narrators’ views (1): death Tax (2) smellof old Lady Wyatt’s craziness, father’s death The narrators’ views of Emily and her father (3) dignity + earthiness; arsenicThe narrators’ views of Emily and Homer Barron (4) The townpeople’s intrusion China

painting lesson (5) House broken into. The only internal view

of her.

New Criticism & New Critical Approach to

Narratives

Quiz

1. Which of the following are New Criticism’s Major Views 1. Intentional Fallacy, 2. Political Correctness 3. Paraphrase Heresy 4. Poetic Truth as different

from Scientific Truth

2. Which of the following are New Criticism’s Major Views 1. Intentional Fallacy, 2. Political Correctness 3. Paraphrase Heresy 4. Poetic Truth as different

from Scientific Truth

２。為什麼母親 心跳很快？ 躁鬱症﹐ 跑步後﹐ 擔心貓耳﹐ 怕壞人來。

２。為什麼母親 心跳很快？ 躁鬱症﹐ 跑步後﹐ 擔心貓耳﹐ 怕壞人來。

３。如何用新批評法分析〈母親〉？ １。分析背景和意象﹐ ２。探討時代背景﹐ ３。探討王文興的家庭背景﹐以

及他和他母親的關係﹐ ４。分析句構﹐ ５。分析文章結構。

３。如何用新批評法分析〈母親〉？ １。分析背景和意象﹐ ２。探討時代背景﹐ ３。探討王文興的家庭背景﹐以

及他和他母親的關係﹐ ４。分析句構﹐ ５。分析文章結構。

How do we do a New Criticism of “A Rose for Emily”? 1. Study Faulkner’s

presentations of women, 2. Study the point of view 3. Analyze the plot development 4. Find out the contraditions

How do we do a New Criticism of “A Rose for Emily”? 1. Study Faulkner’s

presentations of women, 2. Study the point of view 3. Analyze the plot development 4. Find out the contraditions

Of the images of women we have read, which is the completely positive one? １．“ Metaphor” “２． Shall I Compare Thee to a

Summer’s Day?” ３．母親 ４． Emily in “A Rose for Emily 5. None of the Above

Of the images of women we have read, which is the completely positive one? １．“ Metaphor” “２． Shall I Compare Thee to a

Summer’s Day?” ３．母親 ４． Emily in “A Rose for Emily 5. None of the Above