New Criticism

Definition

New Criticism is a formalist approach to literary analysis that emerged in the early 20th century, emphasizing close reading and the intrinsic qualities of a text while minimizing outside influences such as authorial intent and historical context. This method prioritizes the structure, language, and meaning within the work itself, making it particularly relevant for interpreting poetry and complex literary forms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. New Criticism gained prominence in the 1940s and 1950s, largely due to the influence of critics like Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren.
2. This approach is particularly effective for analyzing poetry because it focuses on elements like imagery, symbolism, and sound devices that contribute to a poem's overall meaning.
3. New Critics advocate for treating literary texts as self-contained entities, encouraging readers to engage deeply with the text itself rather than seeking external context.
4. Key concepts in New Criticism include ambiguity, paradox, and irony, which are seen as vital to understanding the complexities of a text's meaning.
5. Although New Criticism has faced criticism for its neglect of historical and social contexts, it remains influential in teaching literary analysis methods focused on textual evidence.

Review Questions

• How does New Criticism differ from other literary analysis methods that consider authorial intent?
  • New Criticism stands apart from methods that consider authorial intent by insisting that the meaning of a text should be derived solely from the text itself. Unlike approaches that delve into the author's biography or historical context, New Critics focus on close reading to uncover layers of meaning based on language, structure, and imagery. This leads to an analysis that prioritizes what is present in the text rather than what the author may have intended.
• Evaluate how New Criticism can be applied to Yusef Komunyakaa's poetry in 'Dien Cai Dau' to reveal deeper meanings.
  • Applying New Criticism to Yusef Komunyakaa's 'Dien Cai Dau' involves examining the poems through close reading to uncover themes of memory, trauma, and the complexities of war. By focusing on elements such as vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, one can explore how Komunyakaa’s use of language captures both personal and collective experiences of soldiers. The approach emphasizes understanding how these literary devices contribute to the emotional weight of his work without resorting to historical or biographical context.
• Analyze how New Criticism's focus on textual analysis impacts the interpretation of themes in Komunyakaa's work.
  • New Criticism's emphasis on textual analysis profoundly impacts the interpretation of themes in Komunyakaa's work by encouraging readers to engage directly with the language and form. For instance, in 'Dien Cai Dau,' themes such as dislocation and identity are articulated through specific word choices and structural elements that highlight internal conflict. By concentrating on these textual features without considering external influences like societal perceptions of war or authorial background, one can arrive at a richer understanding of how Komunyakaa articulates his experiences and emotions through his craft.

Related terms

Close Reading: A careful and detailed analysis of a text that focuses on its language, structure, and meaning without considering external factors.

Intentional Fallacy: The error of judging a text based on the author's intentions rather than the text itself, which New Critics argue should be ignored.

Affective Fallacy: The mistaken belief that a reader's emotional response to a text can determine its value or meaning, which New Critics contend detracts from an objective analysis.