Literary Criticism – 21st-Century Literature

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms, approaches and examples from the lecture on literary criticism.

Literary Criticism

The systematic study, discussion, evaluation and interpretation of literature; the analytical lens through which we judge literary works.

kritikos

Greek verb meaning “to judge or decide,” the root of the words critic, critique and criticism.

Functions of Literary Criticism

Broadens worldview, deepens understanding of texts, assesses authors’ works (even overlooked ones) and sparks new writing styles.

Formalist Approach (New Criticism)

Approach that treats a text as an independent entity and relies on close reading of its form, structure, language and imagery.

Close Reading

Detailed, line-by-line analysis of a text’s words, structure and devices to uncover meaning; hallmark of Formalist criticism.

Biographical Approach

Critical method that interprets a text in light of the author’s life, intentions and significant experiences.

Moral / Ethical / Humanism Criticism

Umbrella approach that explores how literature conveys moral lessons, ethical dilemmas and insights into human nature.

Ethical Criticism

Sub-branch that studies representations of right and wrong actions within a literary work.

Moral Criticism

Sub-branch that focuses on the life lesson or message a story offers its audience.

Humanist Criticism

Sub-branch that emphasizes characters’ feelings, dignity, empathy and personal growth to understand what it means to be human.

Historical / Cultural Criticism

Approach viewing literature as both product and reflection of the historical events, culture and political climate of its time.

Reader-Response Criticism

Approach that centers meaning on the individual reader’s experience, emotions and interaction with the text rather than authorial intent.

Symbolism (in criticism)

The literary device where characters, objects or events stand for deeper abstract ideas, often highlighted in Formalist analysis.

Theme

The central idea or underlying message a literary work conveys; e.g., “Slow and steady wins the race.”

José Rizal

Filipino nationalist and writer (1861-1896) whose novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo exposed Spanish colonial abuses.

Noli Me Tangere (1887)

Rizal’s novel that criticized Spanish rule in the Philippines; cornerstone text for biographical and historical criticism.

El Filibusterismo (1891)

Rizal’s sequel novel highlighting continued colonial injustices and stoking reform; key to biographical reading.

“The Tortoise and the Hare”

Aesop’s fable illustrating patience versus arrogance; often used by Formalists to analyze character, plot, symbolism and theme.

Sleeping Beauty (Perrault / Grimm)

Fairy-tale whose passive heroine reflects early-modern ideals of female obedience—analyzed through historical/cultural criticism.

Reader Engagement

The emotional and intellectual interaction a reader has with a text, foundational to reader-response criticism.