Literary Criticism PDF

Lesson Discussion: Introduction to Literary Criticism in Literature Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to: 1. Define literary criticism and its purpose. 2. Identify various schools of literary criticism. 3. Analyze a text using different critical perspectives....

Lesson Discussion: Introduction to Literary Criticism in Literature Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to: 1. Define literary criticism and its purpose. 2. Identify various schools of literary criticism. 3. Analyze a text using different critical perspectives. I. Introduction: What is Literary Criticism? Literary criticism is the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of literary texts. When we read literature critically, we are not just looking for what happens in the story (the plot); instead, we are exploring why and how it happens and what deeper meanings or messages may lie beneath the surface. Why is it important? It helps us: o Uncover deeper meanings in texts. o Appreciate different perspectives. o Connect literature to larger cultural, historical, and social contexts. Example: Think of literary criticism as a pair of lenses. Each lens gives you a different way to view and interpret the same text, and no single interpretation is right or wrong. It depends on the perspective you use! II. Schools of Literary Criticism: There are different approaches to interpreting a literary text. Here are some common schools of literary criticism: 1. Formalism (or New Criticism) o Focuses on the text itself—its structure, language, imagery, symbols, and literary devices. o Ignores the author’s biography, historical context, or reader’s personal feelings. o Key Question: How do elements like plot, setting, and symbolism create meaning? Example: In analyzing a poem, a formalist would focus on how the choice of words (diction) and poetic devices (like metaphor) contribute to its overall effect. “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens. Formalism Approach to Analysis: (EXAMPLE) In formalism, we focus on the structure, language, imagery, and literary devices without considering the author's biography or historical context. Here’s how you can examine “The Red Wheelbarrow” through a Formalist lens: 1. Form and Structure: o The poem consists of four stanzas, each with two short lines. Its minimalism reflects simplicity, both in form and content. o Notice how the line breaks create a deliberate pause, giving each image space to resonate. 2. Imagery: o The poem paints a vivid picture with minimal words: the red wheelbarrow, rainwater, and white chickens. This creates a strong visual contrast between red and white. o The image of the wheelbarrow and its connection to farming life suggests an appreciation for ordinary, everyday objects. 3. Symbolism: o While formalists don't rely on outside context, the wheelbarrow could symbolize hard work and the necessity of humble tools in daily life, with the rainwater suggesting renewal or vitality. 2. Marxist Criticism Examines literature through the lens of social class, power, and economic inequalities. Focuses on issues of oppression and the struggles of the working class. Key Question: How does the text reflect class struggles or critique social hierarchies? Example 1: In The Hunger Games, Marxist critics would examine the class divide between the Capitol and the districts. Example 2: The tale of Cinderella does not have a single, definitive author, as it is a traditional folk story that has been passed down through oral storytelling for centuries in many cultures around the world. However, two notable versions were popularized by different authors: Charles Perrault (1628–1703) ; The Brothers Grimm (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm) A Marxist Criticism of Cinderella Marxist criticism focuses on class struggle, social inequalities, and economic power in literary works. In Cinderella, these themes are prominent as the story explores the dynamics of wealth, power, and social mobility. 1. Class Struggle and Economic Disparity Cinderella portrays a clear divide between social classes. Cinderella herself represents the oppressed lower class, relegated to servitude by her stepmother and stepsisters. She performs all the household labor without receiving any compensation, symbolizing the exploitation of the working class. Oppression of Labor: Cinderella’s unpaid work mirrors the exploitation of labor in capitalist societies. She is forced to serve her "owners" without any chance to advance, reflecting how the lower class in many societies is often trapped in poverty due to lack of opportunity. Aristocracy and Wealth: The royal family and the nobility, such as the prince and the guests at the ball, represent the upper class, enjoying luxury and privilege. The ball is a symbol of the wealth and power held by the aristocracy, where only the elite are invited, leaving out commoners like Cinderella. 2. The Role of the Stepmother and Stepsisters The stepmother and stepsisters represent the bourgeoisie or capitalist class, who exploit Cinderella's labor for their own comfort and luxury. They treat her as a servant, which reinforces the social hierarchy where the ruling class benefits from the labor of the oppressed. Maintaining the Status Quo: The stepmother actively seeks to maintain the existing social structure by keeping Cinderella in a position of servitude. She does not want Cinderella to rise above her assigned class, as it would threaten the family's own economic security and status. 4. The Ball The Ball: The ball is a space reserved for the elite, but Cinderella’s entry through disguise challenges the boundaries of class. However, her true identity as a poor servant is hidden. This can symbolize how lower classes are often only temporarily allowed into higher echelons of society, and their success depends on concealing their true socioeconomic background. 5. Ideological Control The story of Cinderella perpetuates the ideological control of the ruling class, which uses fairy tales like this one to reinforce the belief that happiness and success are the result of submission, hard work, and good fortune, rather than questioning or overthrowing oppressive systems. Normalization of Class Inequality: By rewarding Cinderella’s patience and virtue with marriage to a prince, the story sends the message that people in lower classes should accept their station in life and hope for a miraculous change rather than working to dismantle the oppressive system. Reinforcing the Status Quo: The fairy tale suggests that the existing social hierarchy is natural and just, and those who deserve to rise will be rewarded—thus discouraging rebellion or demands for systemic change. Conclusion Through a Marxist lens, Cinderella reveals a clear narrative of class struggle and the reinforcement of social hierarchy. The story portrays an unjust system where the ruling class benefits from the labor of the lower class, and any upward mobility is rare, external, and ultimately reinforces the existing power structures. By presenting the idea that only through luck (or magic) can someone like Cinderella escape her oppression, the tale subtly encourages the acceptance of social inequalities and distracts from the need for societal change. 3. Feminist Criticism Focuses on gender roles and the representation of women in literature. Examines how literature reflects or challenges the oppression of women. Key Question: How does the text represent gender dynamics or challenge traditional gender roles? Example: A feminist critic might explore how Pride and Prejudice portrays the limited choices women had in the 19th century. III. Applying Literary Criticism: To understand how these different perspectives work, let’s apply them to a simple text like the fairy tale Cinderella. Formalism: A formalist would analyze how the story’s structure, symbols (like the glass slipper), and character archetypes (e.g., the wicked stepmother) contribute to the theme of justice and reward for goodness. Marxist Criticism: A Marxist critic might see Cinderella as a critique of class structures, where Cinderella represents the oppressed working class and the prince represents the ruling elite. Feminist Criticism: A feminist critic might argue that Cinderella reinforces harmful gender stereotypes by suggesting that a woman's only path to success is through beauty and marriage. IV. Conclusion: Literary criticism allows us to engage with texts in deeper, more meaningful ways. By using different critical lenses, we can interpret the same story in various ways, which opens up diverse perspectives and discussions. Key Takeaway: Literary criticism is not just about enjoying the story—it’s about digging deeper to understand what a text says about the world, society, and ourselves. Encourage students to experiment with different perspectives as they engage with literature! Group Activity Prompt: Analyzing a Fairy Tale Through Literary Criticism Task: You will work in groups to analyze a short text or fairy tale (Little Red Riding Hood, ) using different schools of literary criticism. Each group will be assigned a specific critical perspective, and you will analyze the story based on that lens. Steps: 1. Read the Text: o Carefully read the assigned fairy tale (Little Red Riding Hood). 2. Group Assignment: o Each group will be assigned one of the following schools of literary criticism: ▪ Formalism/New Criticism ▪ Marxist Criticism ▪ Feminist Criticism 3. Analyze the Text: o Using your assigned critical perspective, analyze the story. Consider the following guiding questions for each perspective: ▪ Formalism/New Criticism: What literary devices (such as symbolism or imagery) are present in the story? How do they contribute to its overall meaning? ▪ Marxist Criticism: How does the story reflect class struggles, power dynamics, or economic inequality? ▪ Feminist Criticism: How are gender roles portrayed in the story? Does the story challenge or reinforce traditional gender stereotypes? 4. Prepare a Presentation: o Organize your findings and prepare a brief presentation to share with the class. Your presentation should: ▪ Explain how you applied your assigned perspective to the text. ▪ Provide specific examples from the story to support your analysis. ▪ Discuss how your critical lens shaped your understanding of the story. 5. Present to the Class: o Each group will have 15 minutes to present their analysis. Be ready to explain your findings clearly and answer any questions from the class.