New Criticism is a formalist approach to literary analysis that emphasizes close reading of texts, focusing on their structure, language, and meaning without considering external contexts such as author biography or historical background. This method allows readers to derive meaning solely from the text itself, treating literature as an independent work of art. It places importance on the intricacies of language and form, encouraging a detailed examination of literary devices.
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New Criticism gained prominence in the early to mid-20th century, particularly in American literary circles, influencing educational practices in literary studies.
This approach was largely a reaction against biographical and historical criticism that sought to understand literature through the author's life and societal context.
Key figures in New Criticism include Cleanth Brooks, Robert Penn Warren, and John Crowe Ransom, who advocated for analyzing poetry through its formal properties.
New Critics emphasized the idea of 'the intentional fallacy,' arguing that an author's intentions should not dictate the meaning of a text.
The movement has been critiqued for its exclusion of social context, psychological dimensions, and reader interpretation in understanding literature.
Review Questions
How does New Criticism challenge traditional literary analysis methods?
New Criticism challenges traditional literary analysis by rejecting the relevance of authorial intent and historical context when interpreting texts. Instead of looking at an author’s background or the time period in which a work was created, New Critics focus solely on the text itself. This shift encourages readers to pay close attention to elements like structure, imagery, and language, leading to a more nuanced understanding of how these aspects contribute to the work's overall meaning.
Discuss the impact of New Criticism on the teaching of literature in educational settings.
New Criticism significantly impacted how literature is taught in schools and universities by promoting close reading as a primary method for analyzing texts. Educators began to emphasize the importance of engaging with the text directly rather than relying on external factors such as historical background or author biography. This shift encouraged students to appreciate the complexities of language and form within literary works, leading to deeper discussions about meaning based solely on textual evidence.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of New Criticism in analyzing poetry and prose.
New Criticism's strengths lie in its rigorous focus on textual details, allowing readers to discover layers of meaning through close reading. This method can reveal how form and content interact to create a work's significance. However, its weaknesses include a tendency to overlook important contextual elements like cultural background and the reader's personal experience. Critics argue that this approach can lead to a limited understanding of literature by ignoring how external factors influence interpretation and appreciation.
Related terms
Close Reading: A critical analysis method that involves careful and detailed interpretation of a text, focusing on its language, structure, and meaning.
Formalist Criticism: A literary theory that focuses on the form and structure of a text, including its style, themes, and symbols, while ignoring outside influences.
Textual Analysis: The process of examining and interpreting the content, structure, and meaning of a text to understand its significance and implications.