Criticism (2)
Definition of Literary Criticism
Literary criticism (or literary studies) involves the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature.
Modern criticism is influenced by literary theory, which philosophically discusses literature's goals and methods.
Literary critics may not always be theorists, showcasing a distinction in their roles.
Separation of Literary Criticism and Theory
There is controversy over whether literary criticism should be treated as a separate field from literary theory.
The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism uses both terms interchangeably to mean the same concept.
Practical Application of Literary Theory
Some critics view literary criticism as the practical application of literary theory, dealing directly with specific literary works.
Literary theory can often be broader or more abstract than criticism.
Historical Framework of Literary Criticism
Classical and Medieval Criticism
Criticism has existed as long as literature itself, with Aristotle's Poetics (4th century BC) providing early typologies and critiques of literary forms.
Aristotle introduced concepts such as mimesis (imitation) and catharsis (purification).
Plato criticized poetry as imitative and false, which set a foundational perspective on literary critique.
In ancient India, Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra contributed to literary criticism, focusing on Sanskrit drama.
Focus on Religious Texts
Later criticism often centered on religious texts, drawing from hermeneutics and textual exegesis, affecting secular narrative analysis, especially within Jewish, Christian, and Islamic literatures.
Al-Jahiz and Abdullah ibn al-Mu'tazz wrote significant literary criticism within Arabic literature and poetry during the medieval period.
Renaissance Criticism
Renaissance criticism evolved from classical ideas, promoting neoclassicism, and viewing literature as central to culture, emphasizing the author's role in preserving literary tradition.
The revival of classical texts in 1498, notably Aristotle's Poetics, marked a rebirth in criticism.
Critics like Lodovico Castelvetro influenced Renaissance thought through their commentary.
Enlightenment Criticism
The Enlightenment (1700s-1800s) witnessed a surge in literary criticism due to the advent of the printing press and rising literacy rates.
Critics began to review works in magazines and newspapers, broadening public literary discourse.
Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver's Travels faced notable criticism, reflecting changing societal norms and literary values.
Romantic Criticism
The British Romantic movement (early 19th century) revised standards of beauty in literature, allowing common subjects to achieve the sublime experience.
German Romanticism introduced modern ideas of artistic fragmentation.
Figures such as Matthew Arnold became prominent as critics rather than mere literary authors.
The New Criticism
The early 20th century saw the rise of Russian Formalism and New Criticism, focusing on the texture and form of literature rather than authorial intent or psychological contexts.
Close reading became essential, emphasizing the significance of literary elements.
Functions and Standards of Literary Criticism
Definition of Criticism
Criticism is defined as the discussion and analysis of literary works, encompassing various forms (e.g., articles, essays).
Questions foundational to criticism include:
What is literature?
What functions does literature serve?
What is the worth of literature and poetry?
Method of Criticism
Comparisons with established works help critics judge literary excellence. Familiarity with classics aids in recognizing qualities in new works.
Critics should evaluate three elements of literature: matter (content), manner (style), and capacity to please (aesthetic pleasure).
Principles of Literary Criticism
Principle of Truth
Truth in literature differs from scientific truth; it must resonate with human experience and morality.
Great literature embodies universal truths rather than mere facts, as per Aristotle and Wordsworth.
Principle of Symmetry
Symmetry involves the organization of literary elements, where parts must relate to the whole, promoting artistic beauty.
Aesthetic balance enhances the imaginative appeal of literature.
Principle of Idealization
Idealization emphasizes selecting aspects of reality that support aesthetic pleasure, excluding unpleasant elements from consideration.
Critical Approaches to Literature
Literary criticism can be diversely categorized into approaches that overlap yet retain specific focal points.
1. Formalist Criticism
Emphasizes literature as a distinct form requiring analysis based on literary features.
Focuses on text itself rather than historical context, exploring elements such as irony and symbolism.
2. Biographical Criticism
Examines how an author's life influences their writings, deepening the understanding of texts.
3. Historical Criticism
Investigates the social, cultural, and intellectual context surrounding a literary work, aiming to recreate its original meaning for contemporary readers.
4. Gender Criticism
Analyzes how sexual identity and gender shape literature's creation and reception, rooted in feminist discourse.
Explores women's roles in writing and reflects on societal forces affecting representation.
5. Psychological Criticism
Incorporates psychological theories (especially Freudian) to understand human behavior as depicted in literature.
Freudian analysis has been integral in articulating themes of desire and repression within literary texts.
6. Sociological Criticism
Explores the broader cultural, economic, and political contexts affecting literary production and evaluation.
Investigates the impact of societal structures on literature's themes and audience reception.
7. Deconstructionist Criticism
Challenges traditional interpretations on language’s stability and meaning, leading to diverse readings and contradictory interpretations.
Preconceptions of an author's control over textual meaning are critiqued, endorsing a more fluid understanding.
8. Reader-Response Criticism
Recognizes readers’ roles in producing meaning, emphasizing that texts become complete only through reading.
Each reader may extract different interpretations, informed by their values and experiences.