Theories of literary criticism

• What does literary criticism involve?

  Analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating literary works
• What is the focus of Formalism or New Criticism?

  It focuses solely on the text itself
• How does a formalist critic analyze a poem?

  By examining imagery, sound patterns, and symbolism
• What are the key concepts of Formalism/New Criticism?

  • Textual Unity
  • Close Reading
  • Autonomy of the Text
  • Recursive Reading
• What does Historical/Biographical Criticism emphasize?

  Understanding the historical context of a work
• How does an author's background influence their work according to Historical Criticism?

  It helps explain themes, characters, and events
• What are the key concepts of Historical/Biographical Criticism?

  • Author’s Background
  • Historical Context
  • Analyzing an author’s life
• What is the principle of Structuralism?

  Literature is a system of signs within a structure
• What are binary oppositions in Structuralism?

  Contrasting pairs that derive meaning
• What are the key concepts of Structuralism?

  • Binary Oppositions
  • Signifier and Signified
• What does Deconstruction challenge?

  The idea of fixed meanings within a text
• What is 'differance' in Deconstruction?

  Meaning is always deferred and context-dependent
• What are the key concepts of Deconstruction?

  • Differance
  • Binary Oppositions
• What does Marxist Criticism examine?

  Literature's reflection of social and economic structures
• What is 'class conflict' in Marxist Criticism?

  Struggles between the working and ruling class
• What are the key concepts of Marxist Criticism?

  • Class Conflict
  • Ideology
  • Base and Superstructure
• What does Feminist Criticism explore?

  How literature portrays gender and women
• What is 'the male gaze' in Feminist Criticism?

  Women are objectified through a male perspective
• What does Psychoanalytic Criticism focus on?

  Unconscious desires and fears in literature
• What are the key concepts of Feminist Criticism?

  • Gender Roles
  • The Male Gaze
  • Patriarchy
• What is the Oedipus Complex?

  A son's unconscious desire for his mother
• What are the key concepts of Psychoanalytic Criticism?

  • The Unconscious
  • Oedipus Complex
  • Dream Symbolism
• What does Postcolonial Criticism analyze?

  The impact of colonialism on literature
• What is 'hybridity' in Postcolonial Criticism?

  The blending of cultures in postcolonial societies
• What are the key concepts of Postcolonial Criticism?

  • Hybridity
  • Othering
  • Cultural Imperialism
• What does Reader-Response Criticism emphasize?

  The role of the reader in interpreting a text
• What are interpretive communities?

  Groups of readers sharing similar backgrounds
• What are the key concepts of Reader-Response Criticism?

  • Interpretive Communities
  • Active Reader
• What does Queer Theory challenge?

  Traditional notions of gender and sexuality
• What is 'heteronormativity' in Queer Theory?

  The assumption that heterosexuality is the default
• What are the key concepts of Queer Theory?

  • Heteronormativity
  • Queer as Resistance