Literary Criticism

What is it?
Meaning the
reader finds
in a text
Why is it important???
Helps us to
understand;
create
meaning
Yeah, but how does it help
ME???
 But how???

Let me show you!

Several types/kinds of literary
criticism exist
New Criticism/Formalist
 New Criticism/Formalist
Popular in the 1940’s and 50’s
ONLY the words on the page
matter!
The author’s intention doesn’t matter
Find meaning WITHIN the
words
Deconstructionism
Examine the
STRUCTURE
to find meaning
More than one meaning can
exist…
Language:
Arbitrary
Structure…………..

……………….is the key!

Reader Response Theory
Meaning = Reader + Text
Reader brings knowledge to the text……
Change the
way you view
the world…
Reader is AcTiVe!!!
Psychoanalytic Criticism
Huh????
Define “why’s” and “how’s” of
human action
What role does the
unconscious play?
Freud, Jung, Lacan
Incorporates various models of the
mind
Feminist Criticism
Opposes Patriarchal Society
Raise Consciousness About
Oppression
Promote Change
Eliminate
Stereotypes
Draw Attention to Strengths of Women
Mythological/Archetypal
Literature
Recurrent,
Universal
Themes
Identify Archetypes……….
…symbols
…characters
…situations
…images
Imagination…….

……………….shares a common humanity

Various disciplines are
incorporated…………..
Marxist Criticism
Cultural
Economic
Political
Art is Political
“Ideology is Key”
Biographical Criticism
Real life
experiences
shape a text
Must understand the Author’s life
Investigate the
literary work
Did you catch that?
What are you thinking???
Here is a Quick Review…..
Literary Criticism:
Finding Meaning in
a Text
Benefit……..
…..increased
understanding of
the world
New Criticism: Words!
Deconstructionism: Structure!
Reader Response: Active!
Psychoanalytic Criticism: The
Mind!
Feminist Criticism: Women are
Strong!
 Mythological/Archetypal
Criticism: Universal Themes
Marxist Criticism: Ideology
Biographical Criticism: Author’s
Life
More than one way to “read” a
text……
Criticism……

…………………...can expand your mind.

Use It To Your Advantage!