An Orientation on Literary Criticism.pptx

An Overview of Literary Criticism: From Plato to Postmodernism

1. An Orientation on Literary Criticism: From Plato to Postmodern Mrs . S. Deivalakshmi Assistant Professor Department of EFL SRM IST, FSH, RMP

2. Literary criticism Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature . It encompasses a variety of methods and approaches that aim to understand, appreciate , and critically assess literary works.

3. Scope Scope: It covers a wide range of activities, from close reading of texts to the application of theoretical frameworks, and can involve evaluating the historical, cultural, and social contexts of a work .

4. Functions of Literary Criticism Interpretation : Clarifying and explaining the meanings of literary texts. Evaluation : Assessing the artistic quality and value of works. Analysis: Breaking down texts to examine their components and how they work together. Contextualization: Placing texts within their historical, cultural, and social contexts. Theorization : Applying and developing theoretical frameworks to understand literature .

5. Approaches and Methodologies Close Reading: Detailed, careful analysis of the text itself. Comparative Analysis: Comparing texts from different authors, genres, or periods. Interdisciplinary Approaches: Integrating insights from history, psychology, sociology, and other fields. Theoretical Application: Applying specific critical theories to interpret texts.

6. Importance of Literary Criticism Enhances Understanding: Provides deeper insights into literary works and their meanings. Encourages Critical Thinking: Fosters analytical skills and critical engagement with texts. Broadens Perspectives: Exposes readers to diverse viewpoints and interpretations. Promotes Appreciation: Enhances enjoyment and appreciation of literature by uncovering its complexities. Informs Scholarship: Supports academic research and contributes to the field of literary studies.

7. Major Figures and Movements Classical Criticism: Plato, Aristotle. Neoclassical Criticism: John Dryden, Alexander Pope. Romantic Criticism: William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Victorian Criticism: Matthew Arnold. Modernist Criticism: T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf. Postmodern Criticism: Roland Barthes, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida.

8. Types of Literary Criticism Formalism: Focuses on the form and structure of the text itself, analyzing literary devices, language, and style. Historical Criticism: Examines the historical context in which a work was produced and how it reflects or influences its time. Marxist Criticism: Analyzes literature in terms of class struggle, economic conditions, and ideology. Feminist Criticism: Explores gender roles, power dynamics, and the representation of women in literature. Psychoanalytic Criticism: Uses theories from psychology, particularly those of Freud and Jung, to explore the unconscious motivations of characters and authors.

9. Types of Literary Criticism Structuralism and Post-Structuralism: Focus on underlying structures of meaning and the instability of language and meaning. Reader-Response Criticism: Emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting texts and how individual responses shape the understanding of a work. Postcolonial Criticism: Examines literature from colonized regions and explores themes of identity, power, and resistance

10. The Sum-up Literary criticism is a vital aspect of literary studies that involves interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating literary works through various methods and theoretical frameworks. It enhances our understanding and appreciation of literature , encourages critical thinking , and broadens our perspectives on texts and their contexts.