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📔Intro to Comparative Literature

Literary theory shapes how we understand and interpret texts. Various schools of thought offer unique lenses for analysis, from formalism's focus on intrinsic elements to post-structuralism's challenge of fixed meanings.

These approaches provide frameworks for examining literature, influencing academic discourse and canon formation. While each theory offers valuable insights, they also have limitations, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in literary analysis.

Major Schools of Literary Theory and Criticism

Schools of literary theory

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Top images from around the web for Schools of literary theory

Application and Role of Literary Theory

Application of literary analysis

  • Formalist approach identifies literary devices and techniques analyzing structure, tone, and imagery (metaphor, irony, symbolism)
  • Psychoanalytic lens explores characters' motivations and psychological states identifying symbolic representations of the unconscious (repression, projection)
  • Feminist perspective examines gender roles and power dynamics analyzing representation of female characters (stereotypes, agency)
  • Marxist analysis identifies class struggles and economic themes exploring ideological underpinnings of the text (commodification, alienation)
  • Postcolonial reading analyzes cultural conflicts and power imbalances examining representations of colonized and colonizing cultures (othering, mimicry)
  • Ecocritical interpretation explores human-nature relationships in the text analyzing environmental themes and ecological concerns (anthropocentrism, biocentrism)

Role of theory in humanities

  • Provides frameworks for textual analysis and interpretation shaping research methodologies in literary studies
  • Influences curriculum development in English departments informing interdisciplinary approaches to literature
  • Contributes to evolving understanding of cultural production shaping critical vocabulary used in literary discussions
  • Impacts canon formation and literary value judgments encouraging self-reflexivity in academic writing
  • Facilitates dialogue between different academic disciplines influencing publication trends in academic journals

Critical evaluation of approaches

  • Formalism and New Criticism offer close attention to textual details but neglect historical and cultural contexts
  • Structuralism identifies underlying patterns across texts but can oversimplify complex cultural phenomena
  • Post-structuralism challenges fixed meanings and interpretations but can lead to relativism and lack of concrete conclusions
  • Psychoanalytic criticism provides insights into character motivations but can overemphasize psychological aspects at expense of other factors
  • Marxist criticism highlights social and economic influences on literature but may reduce complex works to ideological critiques
  • Feminist criticism brings attention to gender issues in literature but risks overlooking other important aspects of texts
  • Postcolonial criticism examines power dynamics in cultural representations but may apply Western theoretical models to non-Western contexts
  • Reader-response criticism acknowledges role of reader in meaning-making but can lead to highly subjective interpretations
  • Ecocriticism addresses urgent environmental concerns in literature but may impose contemporary ecological values on historical texts

Key Terms to Review (39)

Agency: Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices. In literary contexts, it often highlights how characters assert their will and influence the narrative, as well as how readers interpret these actions. The concept of agency connects deeply with the roles of authors and readers in shaping meaning and interpretation in literature.
Alienation: Alienation refers to the feeling of being disconnected or estranged from oneself, others, or society. This sense of separation can lead to feelings of isolation, helplessness, and lack of belonging. In literature, alienation often serves as a critical theme that reflects characters' struggles with identity, societal norms, and the human condition.
Anthropocentrism: Anthropocentrism is the belief that human beings are the central or most significant entities in the world, placing humans above all other forms of life. This worldview has significant implications for how literature is interpreted, critiqued, and created, often leading to a focus on human experiences, emotions, and morality while neglecting non-human perspectives. Understanding this concept helps to analyze the relationships between humans and nature within literary works.
Base and superstructure: Base and superstructure is a concept in Marxist theory that describes the relationship between the economic foundation of society (base) and the cultural, political, and ideological aspects (superstructure) that arise from it. The base includes the means of production and relations of production, while the superstructure encompasses everything from laws, politics, and religion to art and literature, reflecting and reinforcing the values and conditions of the base.
Binary oppositions: Binary oppositions are pairs of contrasting concepts or terms that are often used to create meaning and understanding in texts and cultural discourse. These oppositions highlight the relationships between ideas, such as good versus evil, light versus dark, or male versus female, often reflecting deeper ideological structures within a narrative or a piece of writing.
Biocentrism: Biocentrism is a philosophical viewpoint that argues life and living beings are the central and most important aspects of the universe. This perspective emphasizes the intrinsic value of all forms of life, asserting that humans are not superior to other organisms, and that the well-being of all living things should be considered in ethical decision-making.
Commodification: Commodification is the process of turning goods, services, ideas, or even people into items that can be bought and sold in a market. This term highlights how various elements of culture and society are transformed into products, often stripping away their original context or meaning. In the world of literary theory and criticism, commodification raises questions about how literature is valued, consumed, and the implications this has for cultural and social dynamics.
Deconstruction: Deconstruction is a critical approach that seeks to understand the underlying assumptions and contradictions within texts, emphasizing that meaning is not fixed but rather fluid and context-dependent. This concept challenges traditional interpretations by showing how language can create ambiguity and instability in meaning, making it a significant method in literary theory and criticism.
Deep ecology: Deep ecology is an environmental philosophy that emphasizes the intrinsic value of all living beings and the interconnectedness of nature, arguing for a profound shift in human consciousness and values regarding the environment. It advocates for the preservation of ecosystems and natural processes, promoting the idea that all forms of life have a right to exist, irrespective of their utility to human beings. This philosophy challenges anthropocentrism, proposing instead a biocentric or ecocentric worldview that sees humans as part of a larger ecological community.
Différance: Différance is a philosophical and linguistic concept introduced by Jacques Derrida, which denotes the idea that meaning is constantly deferred and never fully present. It emphasizes that words and signs derive their meaning not from an inherent definition, but rather from their differences from other words and the endless play of context in which they exist.
Dream analysis: Dream analysis is a therapeutic technique used to interpret and understand the meanings behind dreams, often revealing unconscious thoughts and desires. This practice connects deeply with literary theory and criticism, as it allows for an exploration of how literature reflects the complexities of the human psyche, especially in the context of character development and thematic exploration.
Ecocriticism: Ecocriticism is a literary theory that examines the relationship between literature and the environment, focusing on how nature is represented in texts and how these representations impact ecological awareness. This approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world, advocating for a deeper understanding of environmental issues through literature. By analyzing texts through an ecological lens, ecocriticism also engages with interdisciplinary studies such as environmental science, philosophy, and cultural studies.
écriture féminine: Écriture féminine refers to a style of writing that emphasizes the female experience and perspective, often challenging traditional notions of gender and language. This concept is important in understanding how women’s voices have historically been marginalized in literature and how écriture féminine seeks to reclaim that space through unique narrative forms and techniques, reflecting the complexities of female identity and subjectivity.
False consciousness: False consciousness refers to a social condition where individuals are misled about their actual interests and societal realities, often due to dominant ideologies that distort their understanding. This concept suggests that people can be unaware of the true nature of their social and economic situation, leading them to adopt beliefs or behaviors that may not serve their best interests. It highlights the role of cultural narratives in shaping perception and understanding within society.
Feminist criticism: Feminist criticism is a literary approach that examines texts through the lens of gender, focusing on the ways in which literature reinforces or challenges the oppression of women. It explores how female characters are portrayed, the role of female authors, and the cultural context that shapes gender representations in literature. This perspective also emphasizes the need for women's voices and experiences to be recognized and validated within literary discourse.
Formalism: Formalism is a critical approach to literature that emphasizes the structural elements of a work, such as its language, form, and style, rather than focusing on external factors like historical context or authorial intent. This method encourages readers to analyze how meaning is constructed through the text itself, allowing for a deeper understanding of its aesthetic qualities and mechanisms. By prioritizing the text's inherent features, formalism creates a framework for examining literary works with precision and clarity.
Horizons of expectation: Horizons of expectation refer to the set of assumptions, cultural norms, and contextual understandings that shape how readers interpret texts. This concept highlights that each reader comes with their own background, experiences, and knowledge that influence their expectations when engaging with literature, which can lead to varying interpretations and responses to a work.
Interpretive Communities: Interpretive communities refer to groups of individuals who share common interpretive strategies and frameworks, allowing them to make sense of texts and experiences in similar ways. These communities shape how members read and understand literature, as they draw on shared cultural backgrounds, knowledge, and beliefs, leading to varied interpretations of the same work depending on the community’s perspectives.
Irony: Irony is a literary device where the intended meaning of words or events is different from their literal meaning or expectation. It often highlights contrasts between appearances and reality, offering deeper insights into characters, themes, or situations. This device can evoke humor, emphasize themes, or reveal character flaws, playing a significant role in storytelling.
Marxist Criticism: Marxist criticism is a literary theory that examines literature through the lens of class struggle, economic power dynamics, and social inequalities, based on the ideas of Karl Marx. It focuses on how literature reflects, reinforces, or challenges societal norms and ideologies related to class and capitalism. This approach encourages readers to consider the ways in which economic conditions influence artistic expression and how literature can serve as a form of resistance against oppression.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things, suggesting that one thing is another to highlight similarities and create deeper meaning. It’s a powerful tool in language and literature that allows writers to convey complex ideas and emotions in a vivid way. Through metaphors, abstract concepts can be made tangible, enhancing the reader's understanding and emotional response.
Mimicry: Mimicry is the phenomenon where an organism or entity closely resembles another to gain some advantage, such as protection or acceptance. In literary contexts, mimicry can relate to how texts imitate styles, themes, or genres, often reflecting cultural and societal influences. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding how literature interacts with and critiques existing narratives and ideologies.
Narrative functions: Narrative functions refer to the roles that different elements of a story play in advancing the plot, developing characters, and conveying themes. These functions help to shape the reader's understanding and emotional engagement with the narrative, making them essential for analyzing how stories are constructed and interpreted within literary criticism.
New Criticism: New Criticism is a formalist literary theory that emphasizes the close reading of texts, focusing on the text itself rather than external factors such as author intent or historical context. This approach encourages readers to analyze the structure, language, and meaning of a work independently, creating a detailed understanding of its inherent qualities.
Oedipus Complex: The Oedipus Complex is a psychoanalytic concept developed by Sigmund Freud, referring to a child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent. This idea plays a crucial role in understanding familial relationships and psychological development, shedding light on various literary themes such as conflict, identity, and power dynamics between characters.
Orientalism: Orientalism refers to the representation and interpretation of Eastern societies, particularly in literature and art, by Western scholars and artists. It often depicts these cultures through a lens of stereotypes, exoticism, and colonial attitudes, shaping perceptions that can influence political and cultural relations. This term highlights the imbalance in power dynamics where the East is often portrayed as mysterious and inferior compared to the rational West, revealing deeper issues of cultural domination and identity.
Othering: Othering is the process of perceiving or portraying a person or group as fundamentally different or alien compared to oneself or the dominant group. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding social dynamics, power relationships, and identity formation, especially in literature and criticism, where it can reveal how marginalized voices are constructed and represented.
Post-structuralism: Post-structuralism is an intellectual movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, emphasizing the instability of meaning and the complexity of language and texts. It challenges the idea that texts have fixed meanings, proposing instead that interpretation is subjective and influenced by context, culture, and reader response. This perspective has significant implications for literary criticism and theory in higher education, reshaping how texts are analyzed and understood.
Postcolonial criticism: Postcolonial criticism is a literary approach that examines the effects and consequences of colonialism on cultures and societies, as well as how literature reflects and responds to these historical processes. It focuses on the relationships between colonizers and the colonized, exploring themes of identity, power dynamics, and cultural representation. This lens helps to uncover voices that have been marginalized or silenced by colonial narratives, offering insights into issues of race, ethnicity, and social justice.
Projection: Projection refers to the process of attributing one's own thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person or group. This psychological phenomenon is often examined in literary theory and criticism as a way to understand character motivations and narrative perspectives, highlighting how personal biases can shape interpretation.
Psychoanalytic criticism: Psychoanalytic criticism is a literary theory that applies the principles of psychoanalysis to literature, focusing on the unconscious motivations, desires, and conflicts of characters, as well as the author's psyche. This approach often examines how themes of repression, identity, and trauma manifest in a text, revealing deeper psychological meanings. It connects literature with psychology, exploring the relationship between the mind and artistic expression.
Reader-response criticism: Reader-response criticism is a literary theory that emphasizes the role of the reader in creating the meaning of a text. This approach argues that a reader's personal experiences, emotions, and context significantly shape their interpretation and understanding of literature. It highlights the dynamic relationship between the text and the reader, asserting that meaning is not fixed but varies depending on individual perspectives.
Repression: Repression is a psychological defense mechanism where an individual unconsciously pushes distressing thoughts, memories, or feelings out of their conscious awareness. This process can significantly influence behavior and thought patterns, often affecting how literature and characters are analyzed in a broader academic context, particularly in understanding human motivations and the complexities of narrative structure.
Stereotypes: Stereotypes are oversimplified and generalized beliefs or ideas about a particular group of people, often based on characteristics like race, gender, age, or social status. These mental shortcuts can influence perceptions and behavior, leading to assumptions that do not accurately reflect individual traits or realities. In literary theory and criticism, stereotypes are significant because they can shape narratives and character development, and challenge readers to question societal norms and biases.
Structuralism: Structuralism is an intellectual movement that emerged in the early 20th century, focusing on understanding the underlying structures that shape human culture, language, and literature. It emphasizes the relationships and systems that govern the meanings of texts rather than the individual components or historical contexts. This approach influences various disciplines, including literary theory and criticism, as well as modernist literature, by encouraging a systematic examination of how narratives and meanings are constructed.
Subaltern studies: Subaltern studies is an academic approach that focuses on the experiences and perspectives of marginalized groups, particularly in postcolonial contexts. It seeks to challenge dominant narratives by giving voice to those who have been historically oppressed and overlooked in mainstream history and discourse. This perspective is vital in understanding power dynamics and social hierarchies, especially in the realms of literature and cultural criticism.
Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary device that uses symbols—objects, characters, figures, or colors—to represent abstract ideas or concepts. It adds deeper meaning to a narrative and allows writers to convey complex themes and emotions through simple imagery.
The intentional fallacy: The intentional fallacy refers to the mistaken belief that a reader can interpret a text based on the author's intentions or purpose. This concept suggests that an author's intentions should not dictate the meaning of a literary work, as the text itself is an independent entity that can be analyzed without the need for authorial context. It emphasizes that understanding a text relies more on its language, structure, and context rather than what the author might have meant.
The male gaze: The male gaze is a concept that describes the way visual arts and literature depict the world and women from a masculine, heterosexual perspective. This perspective objectifies women, presenting them as passive subjects to be viewed, rather than as active agents. The idea highlights power dynamics in gender relations and critiques how society often normalizes male viewpoints while marginalizing female experiences.
Agency
See definition

Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices. In literary contexts, it often highlights how characters assert their will and influence the narrative, as well as how readers interpret these actions. The concept of agency connects deeply with the roles of authors and readers in shaping meaning and interpretation in literature.

Term 1 of 39

Key Terms to Review (39)

Agency
See definition

Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices. In literary contexts, it often highlights how characters assert their will and influence the narrative, as well as how readers interpret these actions. The concept of agency connects deeply with the roles of authors and readers in shaping meaning and interpretation in literature.

Term 1 of 39

Agency
See definition

Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices. In literary contexts, it often highlights how characters assert their will and influence the narrative, as well as how readers interpret these actions. The concept of agency connects deeply with the roles of authors and readers in shaping meaning and interpretation in literature.

Term 1 of 39



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© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
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