New Criticism

Definition

New Criticism is a formalist literary theory that emphasizes the close reading of texts, focusing on the text itself rather than external factors such as author intent or historical context. This approach encourages readers to analyze the structure, language, and meaning of a work independently, creating a detailed understanding of its inherent qualities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. New Criticism emerged in the early to mid-20th century as a response to biographical and historical criticism, emphasizing textual analysis over external influences.
2. Key figures in New Criticism include John Crowe Ransom, Cleanth Brooks, and W.K. Wimsatt, who all promoted the close reading of literary works.
3. This approach allows for multiple interpretations of a text while still focusing on its form and structure as the primary source of meaning.
4. New Critics advocate for the idea that a poem or work of literature exists as an autonomous entity, separate from the author's life and intentions.
5. Despite its popularity, New Criticism faced criticism for ignoring historical context and reader response, leading to the emergence of other literary theories.

Review Questions

• How does New Criticism differ from biographical and historical approaches to literature?
  • New Criticism stands apart from biographical and historical approaches by focusing solely on the text itself, rather than considering the author's background or historical context. While biographical criticism seeks to understand how an author's life influences their work, New Criticism emphasizes close reading and analysis of language, structure, and imagery within the text. This leads to a deeper understanding of the work's inherent qualities without external biases.
• Discuss the implications of the intentional fallacy in New Criticism and how it impacts literary analysis.
  • The intentional fallacy suggests that assessing a text based on the author's intended meaning can lead to misinterpretations. In New Criticism, this notion is crucial as it encourages readers to focus on the work itself rather than speculate about the author's motivations. By dismissing authorial intent as irrelevant, New Criticism fosters diverse interpretations based purely on textual evidence, allowing each reader's analysis to stand independently.
• Evaluate the relevance of New Criticism in today's literary studies landscape compared to other emerging theories.
  • While New Criticism laid essential groundwork for literary analysis by championing close reading and formalism, its relevance today is challenged by various emerging theories such as reader-response criticism and cultural studies. These contemporary approaches emphasize context, reader interpretation, and societal influences over strict textual analysis. However, New Criticism's focus on form remains vital in teaching analytical skills and appreciating the artistry within texts, demonstrating its lasting impact despite evolving literary landscapes.

Related terms

Close Reading:

A careful and detailed analysis of a text to uncover deeper meanings, themes, and stylistic features.

Intentional Fallacy: The erroneous belief that a reader can determine a work's meaning by analyzing the author's intentions rather than focusing on the text itself.

Affective Fallacy: The mistake of judging a text's value based on the emotional responses it elicits from readers rather than its intrinsic qualities.