Introduction to Literary Theory

What are Literary Criticism Theories?

• A “lens” that allows us to interpret literature in a different way

• A set of assumptions about people and society that influence the way we see literature

• Each “school” provides a different lens to arrive at the meaning of the text

History

• Classical literary theory starts with Plato, Aristotle, and other Classical thinkers

• The 20th century saw an explosion of literary theories, often rooted in political movements

How to Apply Literary Theory

1. Start by understanding the assumptions and axioms (basic beliefs) of a literary theory

2. As you read, keep some key guiding questions in mind to focus you

3. Try to link your observations into a coherent explanation or description of the text by using that evidence to support the perspective of the chosen literary theory

Guiding Questions

Guiding Questions: An attempt to think like a theorist.

• By asking yourself these questions, you begin

• These questions help you realize what is important for a particular theory

Axioms

Axioms: Assumptions about people, society, culture, and text that it starts with as obviously true.

• Controversy or popularity of literary theories comes down to how much people agree or disagree with the axioms that a theory uses as a starting point

• Ex. Marxist literary theory believes society is engaged in a class struggle that literature reflects. If you don’t agree with this assumption, you will find the theory less convincing

Categories of Literary Theory

Focus on Text

• Structuralism, post-modernism, new criticism, narratology, and psychoanalytical

Focus on Author

• Biographical, psychoanalytical, Marxist, new historicism, post-colonial, feminist, gender studies, disability studies, and critical race theory

Focus on Audience

• Reader response, moral-didactic, and classical literary theory