Responding to the european model of scientific empiricism. Hopefully, after reading through and working with the resources in this area of the owl, literary theory will become a little easier to understand and use. Literary theory internet encyclopedia of philosophy. Feminist criticism feminist criticism is literary criticism based on feminist theories. Formalism generally regards literature as an object, whereas other types of literary criticism see it as text. For centuries, scholars, academics and critics have fought over the terms and methods of literary analysis. The different lenses also allow critics to focus on particular aspects of a work they consider important. Introduction to literary theory purdue writing lab. For example, if a critic is working with certain marxist theories. New historicism 256 main areas of studypoints of criticism. The four types of literary theories according to abrams are. Introduction a very basic way of thinking about literary theory is that these ideas act as different lenses critics use to view and talk about art, literature, and even culture. Sociological theories an overview of major frameworks. As part of our series on writing an english essay, we introduce the basics of literary theory.
Which of the following is not one of the four types of literary theories. Lets take a closer look at the four main archetypes described by jung as well as a few others that are often identified. In using theories, we want to answer some questions 12. Students in this course will write a critical essay based upon four literary texts. Literary theory is a description of the underlying principles, one might say the tools, by which we attempt to. Use this resource to learn about literary criticism. One of the first schools of literary theory to attempt to systematize literary. The literary work in its milieu figures of speech, patterns, stylistic devices, narrative structure 11.
Listed below are some of the most commonly identified schools of literary theory, along with their major authors. Mimetic theory of literary criticism pen and the pad. Literary analysis is a critical response to a literary text in the form of a critical essay or an oral commentary. Literary theories are frameworks used by critics to analyze various works of literature. The major schools of literary theory student guide. One of the views is likely to affirm your perspective and speak to what you see in the literature you are studying. Jan 31, 2020 the four types of novel writers ellen brock. Though a variety of literary theories exist, the most popular literary theories are. Some have looked at a story or play from a moral stance, considering how values are represented in a text. A sampling of critical lenses literary theories were developed as a means to understand the various ways people read texts. A very basic way of thinking about literary theory is that these ideas act as different lenses critics use to view and talk about art, literature, and.
Besides founding a political party and societal philosophy. All of them have different point of view regarding the relationship between the universe, the work, the artist and the audience. This genre includes all plays or anything meant to be performed. Introduction to critical theory introduction to literature. Theories of literary interpretation with free interactive flashcards. Literary theory definition and meaning collins english. What are the four types of literary theories according to. What are the four types of literary theories according to literary historian m. Modern literary criticism is often influenced by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of literatures goals and methods. In his book, critical theory since plato, university of washington literature professor hazard adams identifies four primary literary theories. What are four types of literary theories according to. Philip sidney the defence of poesy, 1595, alexander pope an essay on criticism, 1711 and.
In modern times, most literary criticisms and theories fall into the categories of aesthetics and politics. All of them have a different point of view regarding the relationship between the universe, the work, the artist and the audience. Jung identified four major archetypes, but also believed that there was no limit to the number that may exist. Theories of literary interpretation flashcards on quizlet. When we read literature, we do so to learn more about. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includesin addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict senseconsiderations of intellectual history, moral philosophy, social prophecy, and other interdisciplinary themes which are of.
Traditional history is, by its nature, a subjective narrative, usually told from the point of view of the. Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the. Which of the following is not one of the four types of. Literary theory, sometimes designated critical theory, or theory, and now undergoing a. Is literature fundamentally about culture, society, and differences among different groups of people. Interpretation of the literary material ought to be limited to the structural meaning of the piece. Since ancient times, readers have debated and critiqued literature from a variety of perspectives.
The major schools of literary theory american pragmatism. For centuries, scholars, thinkers, authors and readers have pondered fundamental questions about how, why and what we read. English 491 at california state university is an introductory seminar on the history of literary criticism and theory. Such analysis may be based from a variety of critical approaches or movements, e. This resource will help you begin the process of understanding literary theory and schools of criticism and how they are used in the academy. The proponents of each theory believe their theory is the theory, but most of us interpret texts according to the rules of several different theories at a time. Research has moved from literary criticism to literary theory, which is not written for ready comprehension. Literary criticism or literary studies is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature.
Literary theories literary criticism subject and course guides at. Literary theorists trace the history and evolution of the different. Formalism, an example of aesthetic criticism, examines. Identify and summarize the major types of literary theory name and describe the literary theories that focus on the role of the other to unlock this lesson you must be a member. Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. Knoblauchs, literacy and the politics of education, that appear in ernestine hayes, blond indian, are. In this way, one can argue that all scripted television. The major schools of literary theory the analysis of a literary work, unlike that of a chemical compound or mathematical equation, often engages the subjective interpretation of the reader. Among the authors covered are plato, aristotle, horace, saint augustine, thomas aquinas, dante, philip sidney, pierre corneille, john dryden, alexander pope, samuel johnson, immanuel kant, friedrich schiller, geor hegel, william wordsworth, samuel taylor coleridge, percy.
To help you decide on a literary theory and to begin analyzing your chosen text, consider the questions presented below. Read literary criticism of contemporary work and, if at all possible, of poems similar to your own, which will at least help you anticipate the reception likely from editors and workshop presentations. There are many different ways to interpret a novel or short story. Early examples of theoretical writings about english literature are. They each operate on different assumptions, and focus on distinct aspects of a text. Literary critical theory is a tool that helps you find meaning in stories, poems and plays. Associated with romanticism, a philosophy defining aesthetic value as the primary goal in understanding literature. Literary criticism and theory has a long and varied past. Criticism in that euroamerican imperialism and colonization in the last four centuries, whether. By literary theory we refer not to the meaning of a work of literature but to the theories that reveal what literature can mean. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. There are many types of literary theory, which take different approaches to texts.
Literary theory is the body of ideas and methods we use in the practical reading of literature. Which of the four literary theories is most often taught in school. Literary theories, abrams argues, can be divided into four main groups. Mimetic theories interested in the relationship between the work and the universe pragmatic theories interested in the relationship between the work and the audience expressive theories interested in the relationship between the work and the artist. Even among those listed below, combine methods from more than one of these. Four critical theories from the view of point of m. Various types of literary analysis schoolworkhelper. Sep 14, 20 knoblauchs four literacy types posted on september 14, 20 by jordanflory20 the types of literacy from c. This handout provides information on four theories. Please note that the schools of literary criticism and their explanations included here are by no means the only ways of distinguishing these separate areas of theory.
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