Lecture Literary criticism - Lecture 1: Introduction to literary criticism. The contents of this chapter include all of the following: Purposes of literaly criticism, approaches in literary criticism, historical/biographical approach, moral/philosophical approach,. | INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY CRITICISM LITERARY CRITICISM Literary criticism is the art of judging and commenting on the qualities and character of literary works. PURPOSES OF LITERALY CRITICISM To help us solve a problem in reading To help us choose the better of two conflicting readings To enable us to form judgments about literature with the help of historical approach. Formalist approach helps us to decide dissolution of society in “Lord of flies”. Helps us to judge if a piece of literature is good or approach on John Donne’s poem & mimetic approach on “The west Indian” APPROACHES IN LITERARY CRITICISM HISTORICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH. MORAL/PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH. MIMETIC APPROACH. FORMALISM/NEW CRITICISM. PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH. MYTHOLOGICAL/ARCHETYPAL/SYMBOLIC APPROACH. FEMINIST APPROACH. READER RESPONSE CRITICISM APPROACH. STRUCTURALISM. DECONSTRUCTION. HISTORICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH Author’s life & time Character’s ADVANTAGES This works well for some works | INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY CRITICISM LITERARY CRITICISM Literary criticism is the art of judging and commenting on the qualities and character of literary works. PURPOSES OF LITERALY CRITICISM To help us solve a problem in reading To help us choose the better of two conflicting readings To enable us to form judgments about literature with the help of historical approach. Formalist approach helps us to decide dissolution of society in “Lord of flies”. Helps us to judge if a piece of literature is good or approach on John Donne’s poem & mimetic approach on “The west Indian” APPROACHES IN LITERARY CRITICISM HISTORICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH. MORAL/PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH. MIMETIC APPROACH. FORMALISM/NEW CRITICISM. PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH. MYTHOLOGICAL/ARCHETYPAL/SYMBOLIC APPROACH. FEMINIST APPROACH. READER RESPONSE CRITICISM APPROACH. STRUCTURALISM. DECONSTRUCTION. HISTORICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH Author’s life & time Character’s ADVANTAGES This works well for some works which are political in nature Also works in order to place allusions in their proper classical political biblical background DISADVANTAGES New critics criticize it because according to historic approach the value or meaning of the work maybe determines by “Intentional faliacy” This approach tends to make it relative rather than universal. MORAL/PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH These critics believe that the larger purpose of literature is to teach morality and to probe philosophical issues. Mathew Arnold: “high seriousness” Plato: “Literature must exhibit moralism and utilization” Horace:”Literature should be delightful and instructive” ADVANTAGES For works which have obvious moral philosophy When considering themes of works It does not view literature merely as “art” isolated from all moral implications literature. DISADVANTAGES Detractors:This approach is “judgemental”. Literature should be judged on its artistic merit. MIMETIC APPROACH Mimetic critics ask how well the work of literature .
