Strategies for reading
Critical Theory Strategies for reading What is Critical
Theory?
Different ways of looking at text (think new lenses) None is more
right than another Some stories can be viewed through many
perspectives even at the same time! Multiple perspectives allow us
to see texts in new light and think about them in different ways
Formalist Criticism Formal elements of a work language, structure,
and tone How do the parts connect to the whole Modern Formalists
New Critics Just the facts maam Poetry lends itself nicely to this
lens Formalist critics read separate from the authors state of mind
how is it said? Use intrinsic analysis of plot, character, diction,
irony, syntax, symbol to understand the shape of the text and how
it contributes to meaning. Poetry lends itself to this because one
can look at every word, grammatical choice, and each line/sentence
and discuss the impact on the whole. Doing this with an entire
novel becomes cumbersome. Our Lit Device assignment follows this
model to some extent. Biographical Criticism
Authors background aids in enriching themes, ideas, topics, etc.
developed in a text May not always reflect the authors life, but it
may give clarity or add richness to our reading of it Hemingway is
prime example of this his fiction is arguable largely biographical.
New Critics would not think author bio is essential to
understanding the text on its own we cannot know what the author
thinks, so why bother? Psychoanalytic Criticism
Sigmund Freud psychoanalytic theory (unconscious mind) Id basic
desires (repressed) Superego morals, codes, guilt Ego the
arbitrator (how far should I go?) Oedipus/Electra Complex
competition with the father/mother (respectively) to take their
place. Uncover a characters subconscious choices Uncover the
authors unconscious meaning behind a text (or the readers) Oedipus
the King by Sophocles Oedipus kills his father and marries his
mother due to fateful events Electra plots to kill her mother to
avenge her father Freuds theories have been debunked so-to-speak,
but his influence on psychology and human behavior are paramount.
Thus, literary critics still refer to this interpretation of texts
as it helps us to understand character more deeply. Carl Jung goes
with Archetypal the idea that we interpret the world through
symbols Historical Criticism Four main types Literary History
Marxist
New Historicist Cultural There are many ways to look at a text from
a historical lens. These four types are similar in that they take a
historical or social view, but they are nuanced in the ways in
which they go about it. Literary History Examine the life and times
of the society in which it was written Look for social
currents/trends Examine multiple perspectives of people during this
time on this topic Marxist Proletariat vs. Bourgeoisie Struggles
with: Culture Race Class
Power Radical reform in 1930s Karl Marx believed power was in the
hands of decision makers those were the people with money. Marxist
critics focus on social themes rather than parts of the text.
Proletariat = working man Bourgeoisie = the upper class New
Historicist History read in a modern context
Examine all facets of history economical, sociological,
anthropological, political For example: the term for hysteria is
defined differently now (clinically) than it was in the early
1920s. Thus, reading what this word meant in that time would give
us a better understanding of an authors use of it. Combination of
many elements of history of the time in which the work was written
to provide a deeper understanding of the text. Cultural Popular
cultural influences
A combination of new historicism, psychology, gender, and
deconstructionism Looks at comics, TV shows, commercials, radio
shows, etc. This is more popular cultural study; using the culture
of the time to understand the texts references and choices made by
the author. Essentially nothing is left out any form of
communication of the time/culture is useful from this perspective.
Gender Criticism Focus on how men and women are socially
constructed in text Includes: Gay/Lesbian Criticism Feminist
Criticism This one gets a bad rap because it can be seen in a light
that is isolating or accusatory. This is not its intent! Your sex
is defined by your anatomy Your gender is defined by the standards
of society ~ therefore, gender criticism seeks to explore these
constructs and question them as they appear in text. Feminism
Places literature in a social context
Looks at the representation of women through what has been a
traditionally male-dominated society A broad range of disciplines
aids in this perspective since our society is constructed through a
history of typically male power, this lens seeks to find ways of
thinking about female (and male) representations in works. Gay and
Lesbian Focuses on how homosexuals are represented in text
Looks at how sexuality and gender are constructed in society
Archetypal Criticism Archetypal critiques examine the hopes, fears,
and expectations of cultures Look for common human concerns in text
Archetypes universal symbols that embody the basic human experience
People seek to make sense of their lives think JGC so they find
meaning through sexuality, birth, death, seasons, etc. Look for
underlying recurring patterns in literature How to Read Literature
Like a Professor! Think of the heroic cycle with this one. Reader
Response Criticism
Focuses on, you guessed it, the reader Bring our own assumptions
and expectations to a work so what do we see? No single definitive
reading of a work because each reader brings his/her own
perspectives and experiences with him/her. Deconstructionist
Criticism
Literary works do not yield fixed, single meanings Language is too
easily interpreted in various ways therefore no right answer can be
found Find the ways to destabilize meanings Basically, how can I
prove that interpretation to be incorrect or misinterpreted, but
also arrive at understanding in a new way? Focus on gaps and
incongruities in a text This is the devils advocate perspective
Careful with this one (and all) because the goal is always to
arrive at deeper meaning not simply debunking! The Story of an Hour
Recall Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour (pg 12 in Bedford) Fill in
the chart for each of the different perspectives regarding this
story how can each lens be applied to this text? The Critical
Strategies for Reading chapter in Bedford (page 2091) can also help
deepen your understanding of these perspectives. Lets Practice
Cinderella the Western Disney version
Pair up with a partner You will be assigned a critical lens Think
of Cinderella with your assigned lens what comes into focus as you
consider the text through this lens? In a far away, long ago
kingdom, Cinderella is living happily with her mother and father
until her mother dies. Cinderella's father remarries a cold, cruel
woman who has two daughters, Drizella and Anastasia. When the
father dies, Cinderella's wicked stepmother turns her into a
virtual servant in her own house. Meanwhile, across town in the
castle, the King determines that his son the Prince should find a
suitable bride and provide him with a required number of
grandchildren. So the King invites every eligible maiden in the
kingdom to a fancy dress ball, where his son will be able to choose
his bride. Cinderella has no suitable party dress for a ball, but
her friends the mice and the birds lend a hand in making her one, a
dress the evil stepsisters immediately tear apart on the evening of
the ball. At this point, enter the Fairy Godmother, who changes
Cinderellas pumpkin into a coach and provides her with a gown to
attend the ball. After meeting the prince (at this point Cinderella
is not aware it is him) and dancing all night, she loses track of
time and races out of the ball as the clock strikes twelve and the
magic spell breaks. Her glass slipper leads the duke on a hunt to
find her, and with the help of her mice friends, she is able to try
on her slipper and prove she is the girl with whom the prince
danced. They get married and live happily ever after. Application
You will be in two large groups
Each group will be given a story: Green Eggs and Ham or Where the
Wild Things Are You will choose one person to read the story aloud
to the group Then, you will develop a poster that charts at least
FOUR critical lenses that can be applied to this story (use
yesterdays format as a model) You will present this poster to the
class and teach the critical theories using your text. The Story of
an Hour Choose a partner (must be pairs)
Choose a lens (first come, first served) Go through the story
carefully, and analyze the story through this lens You will soon be
in large groups Seminaring about the text and the lens you used to
analyze it. The Story of an Hour Who are the characters? What are
their relationships? Do any characters have symbolic representation
names, features, quotes, etc.? What is the major conflict and what
type is it? How does the author illuminate this problem? How do
literary elements (figurative language, irony, imagery, symbols)
develop the message? What is the theme that emerges in this text
based on your responses to the questions above? Are these
reinforced or altered when looking through the various lenses?
Which lens is most appropriate to apply to this text? Why? (Each
lens should share) The Story of an Hour On a piece of paper,
respond to the following prompt: Using a theme your group developed
for The Story of an Hour, write a thesis and a core paragraph that
argues this theme is present, and support it using at least ONE
literary element. Use quotes to prove the element is present and
functions as you claim. The Story of an Hour For many people,
marriage proves a societal requirement, which cages both partners.
This idea is explored in Kate Chopins text The Story of an Hour.
Chopin illuminates the epiphanous awakening that people discover
when released from an unrecognized entrapment. She brings the
reader to this realization through her use of imagery. Chopin
subtly weaves imagery throughout the text to demonstrate Mrs.
Mallards new feeling of freedom. She begins, bringing the reader to
this realization before Mrs. Mallard, as she indicates in the text,
There stood facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair.
Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion
(paragraph 4). While Mrs. Mallard is clearly still reeling from the
news of her husbands death, Chopin directs our attention to the
open window, which allows for descriptive detail, but it also
symbolizes the approaching freedom Louise will soon come to
recognize.
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