Criticism as a Response to Literature.pptx

to extend the scope of the Course CCT 06 taught in the previous semester further making students aware about the turn of ‘criticism’ into ‘theory’.

1. CCT-09: Criticism as a Response to Literature II Objectives: The objective of this course is to extend the scope of the Course CCT 06 taught in the previous semester further making students aware about the turn of ‘criticism’ into ‘theory’. Similarly, the trajectory of criticism is taken beyond the Medieval period. SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1

2. Unit - 1 A. Jonathan Culler: “What is Theory?” [from Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction . Oxford UP, 1997/2000] B. Terry Eagleton: “The Significance of Theory” [from The Significance of Theory . Basil Blackwell, 1990] SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1

3. According to the NOED, 2000 SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1

4. Theory: (N) a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained: Darwin’s theory of evolution. SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1 A set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based: a theory of education. An idea used to account for a situation or justify a course of action: ‘my theory would be that the place has been seriously mismanaged.’. Mathematics: a collection of propositions to illustrate the principles of a subject. Phrase ‘in theory’: used to imply the opposite of practice.

5. Theory (etymology): from Gk. theoria = contemplation, speculation; & theoros = spectator. SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1

6. Literary Appreciation vs. Theoretical Speculation Lines from Wordsworth’s The Prelude , Book XI: France – concluded From that time forth, Authority in France Put on a milder face; Terror had ceased , … And measures of the Government, though both Weak, and of heartless omen, had not power To daunt me; in the People was my trust , And, in the virtues which mine eyes had seen. … But from these bitter truths I must return To my own history . It hath been told That I was led to take an eager part In arguments of civil polity, Abruptly, and indeed before my time: … SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1

7. Literary Appreciation vs. Theoretical Speculation (contd.) What there is best in individual man , Of wise in passion, and sublime in power, Benevolent in small societies, And great in large ones, I had oft revolved, Felt deeply , but not thoroughly understood By reason : nay, far from it; they were yet, … Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very Heaven! O times, In which the meagre, stale, forbidding ways Of custom, law, and statute, took at once The attraction of a country in romance!... SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1

8. Systematic analysis of the literary piece vs. Larger speculation of society & the human world out of which comes lit./art SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1

9. Richard Rorty : TASK Who is Richard Rorty ? What does he say on page 3 of our essay? What does Culler opine on what Rorty says? SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1

10. Each TASK is to be attempted TASKs set in our discussion would also become your assignment . Each task would carry 02 marks. Students have to attempt 05 tasks to reach the marking stage of 10 marks. Students have to send their tasks by email to: [email protected] Tasks should carry your name and Class no. clearly without which it would be disqualified. Tasks should be submitted within 2 days of the class. By 10 am on the 3 rd day, the task should reach me. SM-CCT-9-E-classes-1