What is Literary Criticism?
Literary criticism is the study, interpretation, and evaluation of literary works. It involves analyzing how a text functions as a whole, examining its structure, themes, and stylistic elements, and considering the historical, cultural, and biographical contexts in which it was created. Through criticism, we can uncover deeper meanings, appreciate artistic craftsmanship, and engage with literature on multiple levels.
Why Study Literary Criticism?
- Develops critical thinking and close reading skills
- Helps understand the complexities of literary works
- Provides frameworks for interpreting texts from different perspectives
- Encourages engagement with social, political, and cultural issues
Major Critical Theories
Formalism
Focuses on the text itself, examining its structure, style, and literary devices. Formalists believe the meaning of a work should be found within the work rather than in external factors like authorial intent or historical context.
Marxist Criticism
Examines literature in relation to social class, economic systems, and power structures. Marxist critics analyze how texts reflect or challenge the dominant ideology of their time.
Feminist Criticism
Analyzes how literature portrays gender roles, stereotypes, and power dynamics. Feminist critics examine representations of women and explore the intersection of gender with other forms of identity.
Postcolonial Criticism
Examines literature produced in the context of colonialism and its aftermath. Postcolonial critics analyze how texts represent cultural identity, resistance, and the effects of imperialism.
Critical Approaches
Textual Analysis
Close reading of the text to identify literary devices, patterns, and stylistic elements. This approach focuses on how language is used to create meaning and achieve artistic effects.
Historical Context
Examining the historical period in which a work was written to understand how it reflects or responds to the social, political, and cultural issues of its time.
Biographical Analysis
Considering the author's life, experiences, and beliefs when interpreting a literary work. This approach assumes that an author's personal history influences their writing.
Reader-Response Criticism
Focusing on the reader's role in creating meaning. Reader-response critics believe that meaning is constructed through the interaction between the text and the reader.
Developing Analysis Skills
Formulate a Thesis
Develop a clear, debatable argument about the text that your analysis will support. A strong thesis guides your interpretation and provides focus.
Gather Evidence
Identify specific passages, quotes, and examples from the text that support your thesis. Close reading is essential for finding relevant evidence.
Apply Critical Frameworks
Use appropriate critical theories and methodologies to interpret your evidence. Consider multiple perspectives to develop a nuanced analysis.
Analyze Context
Consider the historical, cultural, and biographical contexts that may have influenced the text and its meaning. Contextual analysis adds depth to your interpretation.
Present Your Analysis
Organize your ideas logically, connect evidence to your thesis, and explain the significance of your findings. Effective presentation helps communicate your insights clearly.
Critical Analysis Examples
Feminist Analysis of "The Yellow Wallpaper"
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman
A feminist reading of "The Yellow Wallpaper" examines how the story critiques the 19th-century treatment of women's mental health. Through the protagonist's descent into madness, Gilman exposes the oppressive nature of societal expectations and medical practices that confined women to passive roles.
- Theme: The story highlights the consequences of patriarchal control over women's bodies and minds.
- Symbolism: The yellow wallpaper itself symbolizes the protagonist's entrapment and her eventual rebellion against societal constraints.
- Characterization: The protagonist's husband, a doctor, represents the medical establishment's condescending attitude toward women's experiences.
Marxist Analysis of "Animal Farm"
By George Orwell
A Marxist reading of "Animal Farm" examines how the novella critiques totalitarianism and class inequality. Orwell's allegory of the Russian Revolution demonstrates how revolutionary ideals can be corrupted by power and how class hierarchies tend to reemerge even after attempts to create equality.
- Social Class: The pigs' rise to power parallels how revolutionary leaders can become the new ruling class.
- Economic Systems: The novella critiques both capitalist exploitation and the failures of communist implementation.
- Power Dynamics: The changing commandments reflect how those in power manipulate language to maintain control.
Interactive Exercises
Exercise 1: Apply Critical Perspectives
Read the following excerpt and analyze it from two different critical perspectives: feminist and formalist.
"I want you to understand that you are not to take anything out of the room. You are to have your rest, and nothing else."
— From a short story
Exercise 2: Develop a Critical Thesis
Choose a novel or short story you have read and develop a critical thesis based on one of the approaches discussed in this module.
Additional Resources
Recommended Readings
- Critical Theory Today by Lois Tyson - An accessible introduction to contemporary critical theories
- How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster - Practical guide to literary analysis
- The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism - Comprehensive collection of critical essays
Online Resources
- Project MUSE - Academic journal articles and books in literary criticism
- Literary Theory and Criticism - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Purdue OWL - Writing resources including literary analysis guides