🧿Intro to Literary Theory Unit 1 – Literary Theory: Key Terms and Concepts

What's This Unit All About?

• Introduces the field of literary theory and its various schools of thought
• Explores how different theoretical approaches can be used to analyze and interpret literature
• Examines the historical development of literary theory from early 20th century to contemporary times
• Investigates the relationship between literature, culture, and society through the lens of literary theory
• Highlights the interdisciplinary nature of literary theory, drawing from fields such as philosophy, psychology, and linguistics
• Emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and close reading skills in applying literary theory to texts
• Encourages students to question their assumptions about literature and consider multiple interpretations

Key Terms to Know

• Canon: a collection of literary works considered to be of high quality and cultural significance
• Deconstruction: a method of critical analysis that challenges the stability of meaning in a text
• Discourse: a system of language and power relations that shapes social and cultural practices
• Hermeneutics: the theory and practice of interpretation, especially in relation to biblical and literary texts
• Intertextuality: the way in which texts are connected to and influenced by other texts
• Mimesis: the representation or imitation of reality in art and literature
• Semiotics: the study of signs and symbols and their meanings in cultural contexts
  • Includes the analysis of linguistic and non-linguistic signs (images, gestures, etc.)

Major Theories and Approaches

• Formalism: emphasizes the formal elements of a text (structure, language, style) over its content or context
• New Criticism: focuses on close reading and the text itself, excluding external factors such as author's biography or historical context
• Structuralism: analyzes the underlying structures and patterns in language and narrative that create meaning
• Post-structuralism: challenges the idea of fixed meanings and emphasizes the instability and multiplicity of language
• Psychoanalytic criticism: applies the theories of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan to analyze the unconscious desires and conflicts in literature
  • Focuses on the role of the unconscious in shaping characters, themes, and symbols
• Marxist criticism: examines literature in relation to the economic and social conditions of its production and reception
• Feminist criticism: analyzes the representation of gender and the power dynamics between men and women in literature
• Postcolonial criticism: explores the impact of colonialism and imperialism on literature and culture

Important Thinkers and Their Ideas

• Ferdinand de Saussure: developed the concept of the linguistic sign and the distinction between langue (language system) and parole (individual speech acts)
• Mikhail Bakhtin: introduced the concepts of dialogism and heteroglossia, emphasizing the multiple voices and perspectives in literature
• Jacques Derrida: pioneered the method of deconstruction and challenged the Western metaphysics of presence
• Michel Foucault: analyzed the relationship between power, knowledge, and discourse in shaping social institutions and practices
• Judith Butler: theorized gender as a performative act and questioned the stability of identity categories
• Edward Said: critiqued the Western representation of the Orient and developed the concept of Orientalism
• Gayatri Spivak: addressed issues of subalternity, representation, and the ethics of reading in postcolonial contexts

How to Apply Literary Theory

• Identify the key elements of a text (plot, characters, setting, themes, symbols, etc.)
• Consider the historical, cultural, and social context in which the text was produced and received
• Choose a specific theoretical approach or a combination of approaches that are relevant to the text and your research question
• Analyze the text closely, paying attention to its formal features, language, and narrative structure
• Examine how the text constructs meaning and how it relates to larger cultural and ideological frameworks
  • Consider how the text challenges or reinforces dominant norms and values
• Reflect on your own position as a reader and how your background and assumptions shape your interpretation
• Engage in a dialogue with other scholars and critics who have written about the text or applied similar theoretical approaches

Common Debates and Controversies

• The canon debate: questions the criteria for determining literary value and the exclusion of marginalized voices from the traditional canon
• The death of the author: challenges the idea of authorial intention and argues for the autonomy of the text and the role of the reader in creating meaning
• The politics of interpretation: examines how power relations and ideological factors shape the production and reception of literature
• The crisis of representation: interrogates the ability of language to accurately represent reality and the self
• The role of theory: debates the usefulness and limitations of theoretical frameworks in literary studies
  • Some argue that theory can be reductive or obscure, while others see it as a necessary tool for critical analysis
• The future of the humanities: addresses the challenges facing literary studies in an increasingly market-driven and STEM-focused academic environment

Real-World Examples and Applications

• Feminist criticism has been used to analyze the portrayal of women in classic fairy tales (Cinderella, Snow White) and expose the underlying patriarchal ideologies
• Postcolonial theory has been applied to the works of African writers such as Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart) and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (Decolonising the Mind) to examine the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures and identities
• Marxist criticism has been used to interpret the social and economic struggles in the novels of Charles Dickens (Oliver Twist, Hard Times) and the plays of Bertolt Brecht (The Threepenny Opera, Mother Courage and Her Children)
• Psychoanalytic theory has been applied to the works of William Shakespeare (Hamlet, Macbeth) to explore the psychological complexities of the characters and the role of the unconscious in driving the plot
• Deconstruction has been used to analyze the contradictions and aporias in the poetry of William Blake (Songs of Innocence and of Experience) and the novels of James Joyce (Ulysses, Finnegans Wake)
  • Reveals the instability of binary oppositions and the play of language in creating multiple meanings

Study Tips and Exam Prep

• Create a glossary of key terms and concepts with definitions and examples
• Summarize the main ideas and arguments of each theoretical approach in your own words
• Make connections between different theories and approaches, noting their similarities and differences
• Practice applying theoretical concepts to specific literary texts through close reading and analysis
• Engage in group discussions and debates to deepen your understanding of the material and consider alternative perspectives
• Review sample essay questions and practice outlining and writing responses under timed conditions
• Consult with your professor or teaching assistant for feedback on your understanding of the concepts and your application of theory to literature
• Create visual aids such as mind maps or flowcharts to organize the relationships between different theories and thinkers