BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH to LIterary Criticism

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1. Biographical Approach By: Hazel Grace A. Atchecoso

2. Uses the philosophy and experience of the author to understand and interpret the text. Using the biographical approach goes beyond knowing the background of the author, the goal is to find and/or build connection between the author and the text. What is Biographical Criticism?

3. The definition of biographical criticism emphasizes the importance of understanding an author's life in interpreting their work . Consider the following points: Authors often draw from their own life experiences when writing. Their personal beliefs and values can shape the themes and messages in their work. Understanding the author's background can help you appreciate the context and setting of the story. It can provide insights into the author's motivations and intentions, adding a new layer of depth to your reading experience.

4. History and Development of Biographical Criticism Renaissance Period Proponent: Samuel Johnson “Lives of the Poets” (1779-1781) who attempted to relate a writer’s background and life to their works. 19 th Century Roland Barthes announced the Death of Authors in 1986 (Loss of approval to Biographical Approach in Literary criticism) 20 th Century Biographical Criticism remained a significant mode of literary inquiry.

5. Advantages and Disadvantages

6. Biographical approach ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES It can add depth and richness to a literary work. It can lead to assumptions and misinterpretations The facts about the author’s experiences can help readers decide to interpret those words Some biographical details may be irrelevant. Readers can better appreciate a literary work for knowing the writers struggles or difficulties in creating it, and The assumption that we can know the intent, thoughts, purpose of the author is sometimes not correct. Readers can better assess writers’ preoccupations by studying the ways they modify and adjust their actual experience in their literary works.

7. Biographical criticism matters because it allows us to see that extra layer. It's like getting a special pair of glasses that let us see the invisible threads connecting the author's life to their work. It's a reminder that literature isn't created in a vacuum—it's the product of a real person's experiences, thoughts, and emotions. For instance, knowing that Emily Dickinson spent most of her life in seclusion allows us to better understand the themes of isolation and mortality in her poetry. Similarly, understanding F. Scott Fitzgerald's experiences of the Roaring Twenties helps us appreciate the critique of excess and materialism in 'The Great Gatsby'. By embracing biographical criticism, we can deepen our understanding of literature and forge a more meaningful connection with the works we read. Why Biographical Criticism Matters?

8. What aspects of the author’s personal life are relevant to this story? Which of the author’s stated beliefs are reflected in the work? Does the writer challenge or support the values of her contemporaries? What seem to be the author’s major concerns? Do they reflect any of the writer’s personal experiences? Do any of the events in the story correspond to events experienced by the author? Do any of the characters in the story correspond to real people? Questions to Biographical Approach

9. Notable Examples of Biographical Criticism 1. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. This classic novel is often examined through a biographical criticism lens. Lee's childhood experiences in Alabama, especially her observations of racial injustice, played a significant role in shaping the story and characters. By understanding Lee's background, readers can gain a richer understanding of the novel's themes. 2. 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath. This novel is a semi-autobiographical exploration of Plath's struggles with mental health. By knowing Plath's personal history, we can appreciate the authenticity and depth of the protagonist's experiences.

10. 3. 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. Salinger's experiences in World War II and his struggles with fame and privacy heavily influenced the novel's themes and the character of Holden Caulfield. A biographical criticism approach can illuminate these influences and offer a deeper understanding of the novel.

11. The Great Gatsby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARN6agiW7o

12. The biographical approach to The Great Gatsby examines the novel through the lens of F. Scott Fitzgerald's personal life and experiences. This approach highlights the parallels between the author's life and the characters, themes, and events in the novel. Fitzgerald's Life and the Roaring Twenties Fitzgerald's life mirrored the excesses and disillusionment of the Jazz Age, the period following World War I. He rose to fame and fortune as a writer, but his success was often accompanied by personal struggles, including alcoholism, financial instability, and a tumultuous relationship with his wife, Zelda. Gatsby and Fitzgerald: A Reflection of the Author Jay Gatsby, the novel's protagonist, embodies many aspects of Fitzgerald's own life. Both were ambitious young men who sought wealth and success to impress the women they loved. Gatsby's lavish parties, fueled by illegal bootlegging, parallel Fitzgerald's own experiences with the extravagant lifestyle of the wealthy elite.

13. - Gatsby's Pursuit of Daisy: Gatsby's obsessive pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, his former love, mirrors Fitzgerald's own passionate but ultimately unsuccessful courtship of Zelda. Both men were driven by an idealized vision of their beloved, a vision that ultimately proved unattainable. - The American Dream: Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream through wealth and status reflects Fitzgerald's own aspirations and disillusionment with the era's materialistic values. The novel's ending, with Gatsby's tragic demise, underscores the dangers of chasing an elusive dream. - Fitzgerald's Struggles: Fitzgerald's own struggles with alcoholism and mental health are reflected in the novel through the characters' self-destructive behaviors and the pervasive sense of disillusionment.

14. Themes and Motifs The biographical approach also sheds light on the novel's themes and motifs, revealing how they are rooted in Fitzgerald's personal experiences: - The Lost Generation: The novel captures the sense of disillusionment and moral decay that characterized the Lost Generation, a term coined by Gertrude Stein to describe the generation of artists and writers who came of age during World War I. Fitzgerald's own experiences in the war and the subsequent societal upheaval heavily influenced his writing. - Love and Desire: The novel's exploration of love, desire, and the pursuit of happiness is deeply personal, drawing on Fitzgerald's own complex relationship with Zelda. The novel's tragic ending underscores the destructive nature of unrequited love and the impossibility of recapturing the past. - The Illusion of Wealth: Fitzgerald's own experiences with the wealthy elite during the Jazz Age are reflected in the novel's portrayal of the upper class as shallow, materialistic, and morally corrupt. The novel critiques the American Dream's emphasis on material success and exposes the emptiness beneath the surface.

15. The biographical approach to The Great Gatsby provides a deeper understanding of the novel's themes, characters, and events. By examining the parallels between Fitzgerald's life and his work, we gain a more nuanced appreciation for the novel's enduring power to capture the complexities of the human experience. The novel's enduring popularity is a testament to Fitzgerald's ability to translate his own personal struggles into a timeless story of love, loss, and the pursuit of an elusive dream.

16. How to Apply Biographical Criticism Step 1: Research the Author's Life The first step in biographical criticism is to dig into the author's life. Find out where they were born, what their childhood was like, what they studied, their career, relationships, beliefs, and any significant events that occurred during their lifetime. It's a bit like being a detective, isn't it? Step 2: Read the Work Carefully Next, read the literary work you're analyzing with care. Pay attention to the themes, characters, and plot. While reading, keep the author's life in mind and see if you can spot any connections. Can you see any reflections of the author's life in the story? Step 3: Draw Connections Now comes the fun part—drawing connections between the author's life and their work. For example, maybe the author wrote a lot about poverty and you discovered they grew up in a poor neighborhood. Or perhaps the main character shares similar experiences with the author. These links are the key to biographical criticism.

17. Thank you for Listening