New Criticism

Definition

New Criticism is a literary theory that emphasizes close reading of the text itself, focusing on its formal elements such as structure, imagery, and language while disregarding external factors like authorial intent or historical context. This approach encourages readers to analyze how a poem or a work of literature functions as a self-contained entity, allowing for a deeper understanding of its themes and meanings.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. New Criticism emerged in the early 20th century and gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a reaction against biographical and historical approaches to literature.
2. One of the key principles of New Criticism is the idea that a text should be treated as an autonomous work of art, meaning that its meaning is self-contained within its own language and structure.
3. Prominent figures in New Criticism include John Crowe Ransom, Cleanth Brooks, and W.K. Wimsatt, who helped establish many of the movement's foundational concepts.
4. New Critics often focused on paradox, ambiguity, and irony within texts to reveal deeper layers of meaning and complexity.
5. The decline of New Criticism began in the late 20th century as new theoretical approaches emerged, such as structuralism and post-structuralism, which challenged its principles.

Review Questions

• How does New Criticism differ from historical or biographical approaches to literary analysis?
  • New Criticism differs from historical or biographical approaches by focusing solely on the text itself rather than considering the author's background or the historical context in which it was written. This means that New Critics analyze the language, structure, and form of a work without looking at external influences. By treating literature as an autonomous entity, New Criticism aims to uncover meaning through close reading and examination of literary devices rather than relying on outside information.
• Discuss the significance of close reading in New Criticism and how it contributes to literary analysis.
  • Close reading is fundamental to New Criticism because it encourages readers to pay attention to the details within a text, such as word choice, imagery, and structure. This practice helps uncover multiple layers of meaning and allows for a more nuanced understanding of the work. By analyzing how these elements interact with each other, readers can better appreciate the complexity of a literary piece and its themes. Close reading thus transforms the reading experience into an active engagement with the text itself.
• Evaluate the impact of New Criticism on modern literary studies and its relevance in today’s analysis of literature.
  • New Criticism has significantly influenced modern literary studies by establishing close reading as a critical tool for analyzing texts. While its prominence has waned with the rise of other theoretical frameworks, its focus on textual autonomy remains relevant in contemporary discussions about literary interpretation. Many critics still employ techniques derived from New Criticism when engaging with poetry and prose, emphasizing the importance of understanding how form and content work together. Therefore, despite evolving theories, New Criticism continues to shape analytical practices in literature today.

Related terms

Close Reading: A method of literary analysis that involves carefully examining the text to uncover deeper meanings, focusing on language, structure, and literary devices.

Formalism: An approach to literature that prioritizes the form and structure of a work over its content or context, closely related to New Criticism.

Imagery: Descriptive language that creates vivid mental pictures for the reader, often analyzed in New Criticism to explore how it contributes to a work's overall meaning.