December 8, 2023

MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE OF ESCALANTE, INC.

Carmelite St. Escalante City, Negros Occidental

LITERARY CRITICISM
AND
THE APPROACHES

SUBMITTED BY:
Mary Hope M. Montero
Roie Claire V. Caranguit

SUBMITTED TO:
Judy Ann T. Escala, LPT.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1
BODY OF THE PAPER 2
THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK 4
METHODOLOGY 5
ANALYSIS 6
DISCUSSION 7
CONCLUSION 7
REFERENCES 8
 INTRODUCTION

Literary criticism is the reasoned consideration of literary works and issues. It applies, as
a term, to any argumentation about literature, whether or not specific works are analyzed. Plato’s
cautions against the risky consequences of poetic inspiration in general in his Republic are thus
often taken as the earliest important example of literary criticism. Criticism will here be taken to
cover all phases of literary understanding, though the emphasis will be on the evaluation of
literary works and of their authors’ places in literary history for another particular aspect of
literary criticism.
The functions of literary criticism vary widely, ranging from the reviewing of books as
they are published to systematic theoretical discussion. Though reviews may sometimes
determine whether a given book will be widely sold, many works succeed commercially despite
negative reviews, and many classic works, including Herman Melville’s Moby Dick (1851),
have acquired appreciative publics long after being unfavorably reviewed and at first neglected.
One of criticism’s principal functions is to express the shifts in sensibility that make such
revaluations possible. The minimal condition for such a new appraisal is, of course, that the
original text survive. The literary critic is sometimes cast in the role of scholarly detective,
unearthing, authenticating, and editing unknown manuscripts. Although some critics believe that
literature should be discussed in isolation from other matters, criticism usually seems to be
openly or covertly involved with social and political debate. Since literature itself is often
partisan, is always rooted to some degree in local circumstances, and has a way of calling forth
affirmations of ultimate values, it is not surprising that the finest critics have never paid much
attention to the alleged boundaries between criticism and other types of discourse. Especially in
modern Europe, literary criticism has occupied a central place in debate about cultural and
political issues. Sartre’s (1947) literary criticism is typical in its wide-ranging attempt to
prescribe the literary intellectual’s ideal relation to the development of his society and to
literature as a manifestation of human freedom. Similarly, some prominent American critics,
including Alfred Kazin, Lionel Trilling, Kenneth Burke, Philip Rahv, and Irving Howe, began as
political radicals in the 1930s and sharpened their concern for literature on the dilemmas and
disillusionments of that era. Trilling’s influential The Liberal Imagination (1950) is
simultaneously a collection of literary essays and an attempt to reconcile the claims of politics
and art.

The critic’s main obligation is not to his texts but rather to the masses of people
whose consciousness must be advanced in the designated direction. In periods of severe
orthodoxy, the practice of literary criticism has not always been distinguishable from that of
censorship.

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 THE BODY OF THE PAPER
The literary criticism covers with many branches of criticism which may critique
using of its branches. The literary criticism is not just to criticize the piece but it only tend to
understand the coverage of the said books. There is something important why we need to know
the importance of literary criticism, this is more likely influential and beneficial at the same time.
In discussing the importance of this would likely help us to make more convince on how we’ll
make sure our criticism has its basis of critical approaches.
Some literary approaches that covers the literary elements are:

1. Historical-biographical criticism: Historical-biographical criticism examines

literature through the perspective of the author’s historical context. This approach
assumes that the significance of a particular piece of literature is inextricably linked
to its historical context. For example, historical-biographical critics evaluate
Shakespeare’s work within the context of English literature, history, and culture
during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.
2. Moral-philosophical criticism: This literary criticism style approaches literature
based on its ethical merits. Moral-philosophical critics evaluate literary works based
on the moral statements and judgments the characters and author express throughout
the literary text.
3. Sociological criticism: Sociological criticism evaluates literature based on its
relationship to society. The sociological criticism method examines the author’s
status in their society as well as the effect that the literary work had on its audience
within the society. One form of sociological criticism is Marxist criticism, which
examines how a specific work of literature affirms or rejects oppression within class
systems.

4. Psychoanalytic criticism: This form of literary criticism examines literature based

on the psychological desires and neuroses of the characters within a particular piece
of literature. Psychoanalytic critics believe that an author’s unconscious thoughts are
expressed through their work.

5. Practical criticism: This study of literature encourages readers to examine the text
without regard to any outside context like the author, the date and place of writing, or
any other contextual information that may enlighten the reader.

6. Formalism: Formalism compels readers to judge the artistic merit of literature

by examining its formal elements, like language and technical skill. Formalism favors a
literary canon of works that exemplify the highest standards of literature, as determined
by formalist critics.

7. Reader-response criticism: Reader-response criticism is rooted in the belief that a reader's

reaction to or interpretation of a text is as valuable a source of critical study as the text itself.

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 8. New criticism: New critics focused on examining the formal and structural elements
of literature, as opposed to the emotional or moral elements. Poet T.S. Eliot and critics
Cleanth Brooks and John Crowe Ransom pioneered the approach in the mid-twentieth
century.

9. Post-structuralism: Post-structuralist literary criticism abandoned ideas of formal and

structural cohesion, questioning any assumed universal truths as reliant on the social
structure that influenced them. One of the writers who shaped post-structuralist criticism
is Roland Barthes the father of semiotics, or the study of signs and symbols in art.

10. Deconstruction: Proposed by Jacques Derrida, deconstructionists pick apart a text’s

ideas or arguments, looking for contradictions that render any singular reading of a text
impossible.

11. Feminist criticism: As the feminist movement gained steam in the mid-twentieth
century, literary critics began looking to gender studies for new modes of literary
criticism. One of the earliest proponents of feminist criticism was Virginia Woolf in her
seminal essay, A Room of One's Own. Other notable feminist critics include Elaine
Showalter and Hélène Cixous.

Literary criticism expands your worldview through examining works of literature through
different approaches to literary criticism, you expand your understanding of the world around
you. Each literary style encourages the critic and reader to consider different perspectives from
their own. It helps you better understand literature. Literary criticism can give you the tools to
study, evaluate, and interpret literary works like novels, short stories, and poems. If you want to
write a critical essay or book review about a particular piece of literature, reading other examples
of literary criticism can help you learn how to frame your point of view. It creates opportunities
for new styles of writing. With a vast number of approaches, the practice of literary criticism
creates space and context for authors to create works of literature that push boundaries and break
new creative ground.

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 THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK

A common technique for analyzing literature by which we mean poetry, fiction, and
essays is to apply a theory developed by a scholar or other expert to the source text under
scrutiny. The theory may or may not have been developed in the service literary scholarship. One
may apply, say, a Marxist theory of historical materialism to a novel, or a Freudian theory of
personality development to a poem. In the hands of an analyst, another’s theory acts as a
conceptual lens that when brought to the material brings certain elements into focus. The theory
magnifies aspects of the text according to its special interests. The term theory may sound
rarified or abstract, but in reality a theory is simply an argument that attempts to explain
something. Anytime you go to analyze literature as you attempt to explain its meanings you are
applying theory, whether you recognize its exact dimensions or not. All analysis proceeds with
certain interests, desires, and commitments in mind. One way to define the theory implicit or
explicit that you bring to a text is to ask yourself what assumptions will guide your findings.

According to Joanna Wolfe’s and Laura Wilder’s digging in “Literature Strategies for
Reading, Analysis, and Writing” using a theoretical text as a lens for reading the primary text in
her book entitled “The Second Sex” the feminist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir describes how
many mothers initially feel indifferent toward and estranged from their new infants, asserting
that though “the woman would like to feel that the new baby is surely hers as is her own hand,
she does not recognize him because she has experienced her pregnancy without him. She has no
past in common with this little strange. Sylvia Plath’s “Morning Song” exemplifies the
indifference and estrangement that de Beauvoir describes. However, where de Beauvoir asserts
that “a whole complex of economical and sentimental considerations makes the baby seem either
a hindrance or a jewel. Plath’s poem illustrates how a child can simultaneously be both hindrance
and jewel. Ultimately, “Morning Song” shows us how new mothers can overcome the conflicting
emotions de Beauvoir describes. The writer truly express fairly represents de Beauvoir’s theory
about maternal feelings, then goes on to apply a portion of that theory to Plath’s poem, a
focusing move that establishes the writer’s special interest in an aspect of Plath’s text. In this
case, the application yields new insight about the non-universality of de Beauvoir’s theory,
which Plath’s poem troubles.

In general, literary criticism refers to writings that deal with the underlying principles
associated with the study of literature, language, interpretation, culture, and all sorts of related
issues. Many of the thinkers who have shaped major theoretical approaches to literature come
from areas outside the boundaries of traditional literary studies, especially in fields such as
philosophy and the social sciences. It usually refers to analysis of a particular work or works,
studies of individual authors, genres, literary movements, and the like. The two terms are closely
related, however, since both literary theorists and literary critics study literary texts using a
theoretical framework. One way of conceiving of the difference between the two relates to the
underlying aims of the writing. A work of literary theory might use literary texts as examples or
illustrations that serve to develop a larger theoretical point, while a literary critic might use a
theoretical perspective as a means of better understanding a literary text. The distinction is quite
subtle and subjective, though, because these two side theory and criticism constantly reinforce
each other (Broadview Press, 2020)

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 METHODOLOGY

The methodology of literary criticism refers to the systematic approach and techniques
used by critics to analyze and interpret literary works, there are common elements and general
steps that critics often follow. The close reading it is an examination of the text in the sentence
and word level to uncover layers of its meaning. In depth analysis of the text’s language,
structure and style. Attention to details using the imagery, symbolism, and other literary devices.
The historical context plays essential role in investigation of the historical and cultural
background in which the literary work was produced. It also consideration of the author’s life
experiences, and the societal conditions that may have influenced the creation of the work. The
biographical approach in which it explores the author’s life, beliefs and personal experiences as
they relate to work.

The structural analysis it examine the overall structure of the literary works using the
plot, settings, character, genre and theme. It also one way to highlight the genre of study in
which it understand the conventions and characteristics of the literary genre to which the work
belongs. It also analyze how the work adheres to deviates from genre expectations. The cultural
and ideological critique is also one of the importance to analyze how the literary work reflects
and engages with cultural, political and ideological issues, it explores the power of dynamics,
social structures and prevailing ideologies within the texts. The psychoanalytic exploration guide
us to understand the character’s motivations, desire and conflicts. And lastly the reader-response
analysis which may help in investigating the ways of readers interpret and respond to the text.
Consideration of how different readers might derive varied meanings from the same literary
works. These methodologies are not mutually exclusive, and critics often employ a combination
approach to provide comprehensive analysis of s literary work. The choice of methodology
depends on the specific goals and its focus of the critic, as well as the nature of the text being
studied.

The literary criticism encompasses wide array of approaches, reflecting the diversity of human
thought and interpretation. It often draws from other disciplines of psychology, sociology and
linguists. This interdisciplinary approach enriches the understanding of literature by placing it
with broader cultural, social and historical contexts. It also acknowledge the subjective nature of
interpretation, recognizing that individuals bring their own perspective and experiences to the
reading process. This subjectively adds depths to the field as different critics can offer unique
insights based on their diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. Some critical approaches like
feminist and post-colonial criticism brings attention to ethical considerations within literature.
Critics analyze how literature reflects and challenges societal norms, power structures and issues
to identify fostering deeper understanding of ethical dimensions. The reader response criticism
emphasizes the active role of readers in the making process, empowering individuals to
contribute to contribute to the interpretation of literary text. This recognition reader agency
promotes a democratization of literary interpretation. In instance, literary criticism is a
multifaceted and dynamic field that enriches our understanding in literature by employing
diverse theoretical frameworks, considering historical and cultural context, and fostering
continual dialogue among texts and readers.

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 ANALYSIS

Literary criticism helps reader make sense of contemporary literature offering insights to
their themes, styles and cultural context of current works. Critics engage with and analyze texts
that reflects the diverse voices and experiences of today’s society, contributing in ongoing
conversation about identity, representation and social justice. In an era of complex narratives and
diverse storytelling techniques, literary criticism provides tools for navigating and understanding
intricate plots and unconventional structures.

Critics offers interpretation that can guide the readers through challenging narratives fostering a
greater appreciation for depth complexity of modern literature. It serves as form of cultural and
social commentary, examining how literature reflects and comments on contemporary issues and
it explores how authors address topics. Literary criticism promotes inclusivity and diversity in
literature, it highlights works by the authors from marginalized communities examine how these
voices contribute to the broader literary landscape by recognizing diverse perspectives, literary
criticism contributes to a more inclusive representation of human experiences. It also encourages
readers to think critically about texts, challenging them to question assumptions, analyze the
evidence and articulate their interpretation these critical thinking skills are transferable to various
aspect of life, helping individuals approach information and ideas with discerning and analytical
mindset. Literary criticism can influence and inspire creative writers by offering insights into
narrative techniques, character development and thematic exploration. It may engage with
critical discourse to refine their craft and contribute innovative perspectives to literary landscape.

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DISCUSSION

Literary criticism plays an important role literature in contributes in many aspects using
its literary approaches. It also help in crafting a piece of story in which the writers express itself
using the pen and the paper. In using the literary approaches it might be basis to critique or
highlight the essential part of the paper.

Using the different literary approaches the formalist theory, historical criticism, reader response
theory, new criticism, psychoanalytical criticism, post-colonialism, practical criticism,
deconstructionist, feminist criticism, sociological criticism, moral and biographical criticism and
historical and biographical criticism. These are some of the literary approaches in which helps us
to used and determine in crafting our piece. Through this we can improve precisely as given
basis of literary approaches. This was not also factual and basis but this will help to dig deeper
our understanding about what truly behind in every books we read. What is the background and
cultural norms of every books in detail, this not also simply give emphasis but it contribute how
and what is behind of the writer inspirations in writing.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, I conclude literary criticism is a dynamic and essential field that significantly
contributes to the understanding, interpretation, and appreciation of literature. Through various
approaches and methodologies, literary criticism enriches our engagement with texts and offers
valuable insights into the complexities of the written word. It deepens our understanding of
literature by delving into the nuances of a text. It allows readers to explore themes, symbols, and
meanings that may not be immediately apparent. The multitude of critical approaches ensures a
diversity of perspectives. Whether through formalist analysis, historical context, feminist
critique, or other lenses, literary criticism broadens the scope of interpretation and encourages a
more comprehensive understanding of a work. It provides a bridge between literature and its
cultural or historical context. By considering the social and political influences on a text, critics
illuminate the ways in which literature reflects and shapes the world in which it is created. It also
fosters a continuous and evolving dialogue about the meaning and significance of literary works.
Scholars and critics engage in conversations that contribute to the ongoing development of
critical theories and methodologies. And acknowledges the subjective nature of interpretation,
empowering readers to actively engage with texts. The reader-response approach, in particular,
emphasizes the role of individual readers in co-creating meaning.

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REFERENCES:

https://www.slideshare.net/JelmaPerico/literary-approaches-77285501

https://www.britannica.com/art/literary-criticism

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/literary-criticism

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/literary-theory-explained

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-britlit1/chapter/literary-criticism/

https://www.britannica.com/art/literary-criticism

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/literary-criticism/

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-englishcomp2/chapter/approaches-to-
literary-criticism/

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