1 of 24

Slide Notes

DownloadGo Live

A (revised) Introduction To Literary Theory

Published on Nov 25, 2015

A brief introduction to Literary Theory

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

LITERARY THEORY

AN INTRODUCTION
Photo by Tim Wildsmith

What is Literary Theory?

LIT. THEORY IS....

  • A "microscope" for critics/scholars
  • A set of various "lenses" with which to view Literature.
  • Allows one to view/discuss themes, characters, plot, etc.
Photo by Rob 'n' Rae

BRIEF HISTORY

(WHO YOU BLAME FOR HAVING TO LEARN THIS "stuff")
Photo by Astronomr

It's PLATO'S fAULT

  • "Invented" Lit. Theory in his book-- THE REPUBLIC
  • Believed art must play a role in his ideal society
  • Art must reinforce morals, not reflect Nature
  • Aristotle later disagree with Plato's idea
Photo by Image Editor

Popular Lit. Theories

RELAX

IT's not as difficult as it sounds

Formalism

"Form follows function"
Photo by _Davo_

Formalism

  • How do these parts and their collective whole contribute to or not contribute to the aesthetic quality of the work?
  • What does the form of the work say about its content?
  • Is there a central or focal passage that can sum up the entirety of the work?

Psychoanalytical

(Thank you, Freud!)
Photo by One From RM

Psychoanalytical

  • How do the operations of repression structure or inform the work?
  • Are there any oedipal dynamics - or any other family dynamics - are work here?
  • Are there prominent words in the piece that could have different or hidden meanings? Could there be a subconscious reason for the author using these "problem words"?

Jungian Critique

  • What connections can we make between elements of the text and the archetypes?
  • How do the characters in the text mirror the archetypal figures? (Great Mother or nurturing Mother, Whore, destroying Crone, Lover, Destroying Angel)
  • What trials or ordeals does the protagonist face? What is the reward for overcoming them?

READER REsPONSE

THE READER IS THE KEY TO THIS THEORY
Photo by geinography

READER RESPONSE

  • What do YOU think and Why?
  • How do the text's words enhance the reading experience?
  • What symbols help the reader make meaning?

STRUCTURALISM

AND SEMIOTICS
Photo by tim caynes

STRUCTURALISM

  • How and why does the author use language?
  • What myths and archetypes exist in the text?
  • What symbols are used and why?
  • Patterns in language (similes, metaphors)?
Photo by eriwst

POST-COLONIAL

"History is written by the victors."
Photo by davecito

POST-COLONIAL/ CRITICAL RACE ASKS...

  • How is (colonial) oppression shown?
  • What does text reveal about racial differences?
  • Who is the "other"? How are they treated?
  • What does the text reveal about the operations of cultural difference - the ways in which race, religion, class, gender, sexual orientation, cultural beliefs, and customs combine to form individual identity - in shaping our perceptions of ourselves, others, and the world in which we live?
Photo by dualdflipflop

Critical Race

"History is written by the victors."

Critical Race

  • What is the significance of race in contemporary American society?
  • Where, in what ways, and to what ends does race appear in dominant American culture and shape the ways we interact with one another?
  • How does racism continue to function as a persistent force in American society?
  • What types of texts and other cultural artifacts reflect dominant culture’s perceptions of
Photo by arnoKath

FEMINIST

THE OTHER F-WORD
Photo by garryknight

FEMINIST CRITICISM

  • What is the relationship bet. Women and men in the text?
  • Who has power (men or women) and how is it shown?
  • How are gender roles defined?
  • What constitutes masculinity and feminity?

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

SEE THE OWL....
Photo by Neuro74

Owl.english.purdue.edu
(Search "Literary Theory")