New Criticism

Definition

New Criticism is a formalist approach to literary analysis that emphasizes close reading of the text itself, focusing on its structure, language, and meaning while largely disregarding the author's intentions and historical context. This method prioritizes the work as an autonomous entity, allowing readers to explore its themes, symbols, and stylistic elements without external influences. New Criticism encourages an appreciation of the text's artistic qualities, which connects deeply with concepts of imagination and creativity, the narrative complexities of novels, and the emotional depth found in poetry.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. New Criticism emerged in the early to mid-20th century as a response to earlier historical and biographical approaches to literature.
2. This approach gained popularity among critics who believed that texts should be analyzed solely based on their formal properties and intrinsic qualities.
3. Key figures associated with New Criticism include Cleanth Brooks, John Crowe Ransom, and W.K. Wimsatt, who argued for the importance of the 'intentional fallacy'—the idea that an author's intentions are irrelevant to a text's interpretation.
4. New Critics often focus on paradoxes, ambiguities, and contradictions within texts, considering how these elements contribute to overall meaning.
5. This method can be particularly effective in analyzing poetry and novels from the 18th and 19th centuries, as it allows readers to engage with complex layers of meaning that arise from linguistic choices and thematic structures.

Review Questions

• How does New Criticism enhance our understanding of imagination and creativity in literature?
  • New Criticism enhances our understanding of imagination and creativity by urging readers to engage deeply with the text itself, emphasizing how its language and structure convey artistic expression. By focusing solely on the work's intrinsic qualities rather than outside influences, readers can appreciate the unique ways authors manipulate words to evoke emotion and provoke thought. This close reading highlights the role of imagination in crafting complex narratives or evocative poetry, revealing layers of meaning that might otherwise go unnoticed.
• Discuss how New Criticism can be applied to analyze the complexities of character development in Victorian novels.
  • Applying New Criticism to Victorian novels allows for a focused examination of character development through the lens of textual details. Instead of relying on historical context or authorial intent, critics look closely at how characters are depicted through dialogue, narrative techniques, and structural elements within the text. This approach reveals how themes such as social class, morality, or personal conflict are intricately woven into character arcs, enriching our understanding of their motivations and transformations throughout the story.
• Evaluate the impact of New Criticism on contemporary literary studies, especially concerning its limitations.
  • The impact of New Criticism on contemporary literary studies is significant as it introduced rigorous methods of textual analysis that continue to influence modern criticism. However, its limitations become evident when considering that it often overlooks historical contexts and authorial intentions that can enrich understanding. Critics argue that while New Criticism promotes a focused reading experience, it risks neglecting broader cultural influences and reader responses that are vital in interpreting literature today. Thus, while its principles remain relevant, many scholars advocate for integrating other critical frameworks alongside New Criticism to create a more holistic approach to literary analysis.

Related terms

Close Reading: A careful and detailed analysis of a text that focuses on the intricacies of its language, structure, and meaning.

Formalist Criticism: A type of literary criticism that values the form and structure of a work over content or historical context.

Textual Integrity: The idea that a literary work should be understood and evaluated independently of external factors like the author's biography or social context.