Types of Literary Criticism

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1 Reference Guide content adapted from: Sipiora, Phillip. Reading and Writing About Literature. NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002

2 What is a literary criticism? It is the evaluative or interpretive work written with academic and/or professional intent. It is "criticism" not because it is negative or corrective, but rather because those who write criticism ask hard, analytical, crucial, or "critical" questions about the works they read. It analyzes a text to answer a focused critical question. How do I prepare for the completion of a literary criticism? As you read a work, take notes o For example, record qualities of characterization, critical turns in plot development, tone, voice, striking metaphors, etc o Be sure to understand your text on a basic comprehension level, as well. o Use the attached notes to aid in your independent reading and note collection. After you have become familiar with plot, characters, and other features of the work, decide which interpretive strategies you wish to employ and reread the work with these tools in mind. o Answer questions related to your chosen criticism to gather specific textual notes and supporting evidence. o Use the outline questions for each criticism to aid in your analysis. Review your collected information and organize an essay response that clearly outlines connections between your specific points (textual evidence) and your overall sense of the meaning of the text from your critical perspective. o Identify three accurate and focused main points o Provide individual summary and analysis to explain each main point, as well as a cited textual quote to prove your insights. Types of Literary Criticism Reader-Response Criticism Formalist Criticism Ethical Criticism Civic Criticism Cultural Criticism Feminist Criticism Psychological Criticism

3 What is Reader Response Criticism? Basic(s): How do you feel about or interpret the text? stems from belief that each reader is motivated to better understand himself / herself through literature. emphasizes a connection between the reader and the text reader s background and environment serve as the frame of reference for interpretation What must the reader examine when completing a Reader-Response Criticism? 1.) Write down your first impression of major elements in the text (theme, imagery, character, metaphor, tone, point of view, etc ) 2.) Examine the qualities of the main character(s) 3.) Consider the major plot events in the reading and compare them with any personal experiences you may have had that relate to them. 4.) Evaluate dynamic characters (how and why they change) with your own past experiences especially as they reveal change over time and cause and effect. 5.) Identify major values that are represented in the reading and compare them with your values. 6.) Analyze the ending in terms of your personal satisfaction. Consider whether or not you are comfortable with the ending. If you are not satisfied with the conclusion of the work, write down the specific reasons for your dissatisfaction. How do I develop a Reader-Response approach to literature? your reader-response criticism. 1. What are some of your early impression of the story? 2. What is your observation on the narrative s settings? Is there something from your personal experience that assists you in relating to any of the physical settings in the story? 3. How do you feel about the characters? Why do you feel this way? 4. What characteristics do you associate with the major characters? What is the basis for this association? 5. What do the character(s) learn from their experiences? What lessons can you learn from the characters conflicts and resolutions? 6. What is there in your personal experience that resonates with some of the themes in the story? 7. What evidence concerning textual elements; such as, setting, plot, objects, people, etc exist in your modern environment? 8. Compare and contrast the protagonist s journey to your life.

4 What is Formalist Criticism? Basics: What does the author s style, theme and use of figurative elements reveal? Also known as New Criticism Identifies the text s central meaning Examines text s form and structure; close reading Assumes each textual part / element has a specific role and connection. Eliminates subjectivity and relies on concrete examples / analysis Metaphor and image are especially strategic in interpreting from a formalist perspective. (The reader must analyze and understand figurative language) What must the reader examine when completing a Formalist Criticism? 1.) Read the work at least twice. You will need to closely analyze its structure. 2.) Think about ambiguities, tensions, and contradictions that strike you as significant. 3.) Look carefully at diction (author s word choice) building blocks of meaning 4.) Look for powerful images, metaphors, symbols, and allusions that resonate with meaning. 5.) Analyze voice, tone, and point of view. 6.) Identify and examine the parts of the text and think about how they come together in forming a unified whole. (Hint: think about a central or unifying theme that brings the text together) How do I develop a Formalist approach to literature? your formalist criticism. 1. Can you identify several important words in the text, considering both denotations and connotations? 2. What are some of your early impression of the overall structure of the text? 3. What are the most important parts of the text? How do these parts come together to make a unified whole? 4. What are your observations on the speaker s, characters and/or narrator s point of view? 5. What tone do you find in the text? 6. What are the major topics of the text? 7. What are the major questions raised by the text? 8. Can you identify major metaphors, images and/or other figurative elements and explain how they come together to support some of the text s important themes? 9. What are some of the major conflicts and/or paradoxes in the text? 10. Can you summarize the meaning of the text in one sentence?

5 What is Ethical Criticism? Basics: What moral or ethical judgments can be made based on the information presented in the text? Centers on the moral, or ethical, dimensions of a literary text (particularly in character relationships/conflicts) Examines literature for values, moral codes and their implications Examines character relationships to determine: personal responsibility, duty and the burden of acting in good faith How characters interact and embrace responsibility. What must the reader examine when completing an Ethical Criticism? 1.) Identify and evaluate the context of the text. 2.) Describe character appearances, history, background, jobs, etc 3.) Identify and analyze character perspective (How do they view their world and why?) 4.) Identify theme and examine motifs used to convey the theme. (What moral lesson does the author want to teach the reader?) 5.) Outline the text s conflict(s). 6.) Summarize the text s resolution(s). How do I develop an Ethical Approach to literature? your ethical criticism. 1. Write down your impressions of key moments in the story or poem, events which illustrate significant interactions between characters in a story or personified elements in a poem. 2. Focus on the central characters or elements in the work and identify traits that you do or do not like. Indicate your reasons for sympathy or lack of sympathy. 3. Literary works usually contain elements of conflict. Identify the main forces of conflict in the work. 4. Consider personal experiences you have had that relate to encounters or interactions within the poem or story. 5. Examine the motivations of characters and analyze them from an ethical perspective. 6. Analyze conflicts in the work and then detail the moral implications of the conflicts. Indicate what the conflicts say about the characters directly or indirectly involved. 7. Detail events in the story, especially interactions among characters, which lead you to draw moral conclusions about the work as a whole.

6 What is Civic Criticism? Basics: Evaluates literature for moral values that have significance for individuals as members of communities. Also known as Public Ethical Criticism Based in Greek view of literature as a teaching force for society Greek literary heroes encompassed the values and morals all members of society should strive to achieve and display. Such values include: bravery, honor, courage and obligation in connection to everything one cherishes including one s country. What must the reader examine when completing a Civic Criticism? 1.) What are some of your early impressions of the story? What is the most striking feature of the story, something that promotes an instant reaction in you? 2.) What is the author s tone and the novel s mood? 3.) What role does the setting play in the depiction of the society / government in question? 4.) How are characters treated by the government? 5.) What societal norms are evident and why are they followed? 6.) How do individual character s desires and/or morals interfere with the demands of their government and/or society? 7.) How does the government / society maintain power? Could this power be disrupted? How? How do I develop a Civic Approach to literature? your civic criticism. 1. Focus on the main characters: What is it about their situations that strike you as most important? The government s treatment of them may appear to be grossly exaggerated, but how true does it ring in principle? 2. What is the narrator s reaction to their government and/or community? What is your reaction to the narrator s experience? 3. What effects do the grotesquely comic depictions of the characters and their plights have on you? 4. Why does the protagonist appear to possess anger against / for his government / society? 5. List points of civic abuse. Does the story suggest moral imperatives, specific or otherwise? 6. What might the text s citizens do to counteract governmental abuse? 7. Are you satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?

7 What is Cultural Criticism? Basics: Examines influences from the author s personal life, culture and/or history that are satirized / figuratively represented. What must the reader examine when completing a Cultural Criticism? 1.) Write down your impressions of key moments or settings in the story or poem that illustrate cultural contexts. 2.) Identify central characters and examine the contexts within which they exist. These contexts would include their background, their relations with others, and the historical setting of the story. 3.) Consider events in the author s life that may have influenced elements in the work. 4.) Examine cultural representations in the work. These would include values that are held by characters, social customs, and economic contexts. 5.) Detail any cultural changes that take place in the work. 6.) Compare your cultural values with those in the work. Identify areas in which your cultural experiences are significantly different from the work s perspectives. How do I develop a Cultural approach to literature? your cultural criticism. 1.) What major personal events shaped the views, beliefs and goals of the text s author? 2.) What is the text s time period? What were the popular literary movements of this era? 3.) What aspects of the text connect to the era in which it was written? (For example, gender roles, social etiquette, setting, major world events, movements, inventions, discoveries, etc ) 4.) What allusions are used by the author? Why? 5.) How do the text s themes connect to the past? 6.) What attributes of characterization can be applied to individuals the author knew or intended to satirize?

8 What is Feminist Criticism? Basics: Examines the portrayal and representation of women in literature springs from feminist social movement assumes we exist in a patriarchal society What is a patriarchal society? A society in which men have historically controlled cultural, social and economic institutions. (Men have the advantage / power position) According to Feminist Criticism what is the result of existing in a patriarchal society? oppression for BOTH men and women oppression results from REQUIRED (COMMON) gender roles society imposes expectations on the roles, actions, appearance and goals of BOTH males and females such expectations can limit, change, or control individuals What must the reader examine when completing a Feminist Criticism? 1.) Describe and explain the portrayal of a patriarchal society within a text How does it impact the male and female characters in the text? What is required of males? What is required of females? 2.) Analyze and describe the impact of structures based on dominance vs. submission economic institutions (are the characters finances; jobs; funds impacted) psychological views physical well-being interpersonal relationships (manners, views, statements, etc ) education 3.) Analyze and identify assumed social roles marriage, motherhood, beauty, strength, bread-winner, etc 4.) Evaluate and analyze the use of language Does language favor, benefit, appeal to males? Are stereotypes present or used to portray figurative elements? o Ex.: Too full of the milk of human kindness: o Statement uses language to connect female traits to weakness 5.) Evaluates female author s perspective Do topic choices vary from males? Are female writer s styles different from their male counterparts? Why? How can women become aware of such discrepancies? How is a female voice developed and identifiable within a text?

9 How do I develop a Feminist Approach to literature? your feminist criticism. 1. Read the work at least twice and consider the context of the story. In what culture do the characters find themselves? In what ways do they adhere to traditional notions of masculine or feminine behavior? In what ways do they subvert these traditional modes of behavior? 2. Do any of the characters appear stifled or oppressed because of society s expectations? Are these expectations specific to one gender? 3. Is this a story about gender relations? Does tension seem to exist between the characters based on gender? 4. How are the characters economically, psychologically, or physically situated? 5. Does their economic situation, mental well-being, or health relate in any way to their gender? 6. Is there an apparent (or subtle) difference in the language used by female characters? Do they demonstrate a different access to language?

10 What is Psychological Criticism? Basics: Investigates the psychological processes and issues in relation to a literary text. Most derives from the work of Sigmund Freud Freud investigates the human psyche as a complex structure that is the result of the interaction of the unconscious mind with the conscious mind. Freud denotes the subconscious mind holds our desires, urges, passions, fears, irrational impulses and dreams Freud denotes the conscious mind holds rational processes and attempts to process information and experience with reason Freud believes people react using both the subconscious and conscious. Freud - theorizes the psyche consists of three parts: id, ego, and superego id = uncontrolled appetite (basic desire) ego = moderating dimension (controls and regulates impulses police officer ) superego = conscience of the mind, area in charge of moral judgments (guilt, fear, regret, etc ) For the purpose of literary criticism, the presence of the three parts of human personality plays a role in explaining human behavior in fictional characters. Main focus of psychological criticism is to analyze characters motives, actions, etc based upon Freud s theories concerning the interaction between the subconscious and conscious mind. What must the reader examine when completing a Psychological Criticism? 1.) Describe and explain the portrayal of a character s psyche Evidence of the id (motives, goals, choices, actions, etc ) Evidence of the ego (motives, goals, choices, actions, etc ) Evidence of the super-ego (motives, goals, choices, actions, etc ) 2.) Analyze and describe the impact of character choices. 3.) Analyze and describe the role character choices play in conflict and/or resolution. 4.) Evaluate character backgrounds and experiences to determine influences related to the development of both their conscious and subconscious. How do I develop a Psychological approach to literature? your psychological criticism. 1. What type of narration is used? How does the narrator / speaker increase the reader s understanding of the character s goals, desires, motivations, etc? 2. How do the characters interact? What do these encounters reveal about the characters? 3. How much is a given character s behavior primarily id motivated? 4. How much is a given character s behavior primarily ego motivated? 5. How much is a given character s behavior primarily super-ego motivated? 6. Does a given character lack a super-ego? What evidence supports this statement? 7. How do characters see themselves? How do they compare to others? 8. What does the narrative show that suggests deep-rooted psychological forces at work in the narrative? 9. What elements of the novel reveal a given character s psychological landscape of the mind? 10. What role does a given character s psyche play in creating and/or resolving textual conflicts?

11 Additional Notes: