New criticism

Definition

New criticism is a formalist approach to literary analysis that emphasizes close reading and the text itself, rather than authorial intent or historical context. This method focuses on the intrinsic elements of a work, such as structure, imagery, and symbols, allowing critics to derive meaning solely from the text. By advocating for a detailed examination of the language and form, new criticism offers insights that are particularly relevant when discussing the decadent tendencies in literature and the innovative shifts brought about by modernism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. New criticism emerged in the early 20th century as a response to romanticism and biographical criticism, focusing instead on analyzing the text itself.
2. Key proponents of new criticism include scholars like Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren, who emphasized the importance of language and formal elements.
3. This approach can be seen in the works of Oscar Wilde, where critics examine his intricate use of language and symbolism within his decadent novels.
4. New criticism influenced modernist writers by encouraging them to experiment with form and structure, leading to innovative narrative techniques.
5. The decline of new criticism in literary studies coincided with the rise of post-structuralism and reader-response theory, which challenged its emphasis on textual analysis alone.

Review Questions

• How does new criticism influence the analysis of Oscar Wilde's decadent novels?
  • New criticism allows for a deep exploration of Oscar Wilde's use of language and symbolism without relying on his life or external contexts. By focusing solely on the text, critics can uncover layered meanings in Wilde's works, such as the aesthetic movement's emphasis on beauty and morality. This approach highlights how Wilde's writing reflects decadent themes through its intricate structure and careful word choice.
• In what ways did new criticism shape modernist writers and their narrative techniques?
  • New criticism encouraged modernist writers to prioritize textual form over traditional narrative structures, leading to groundbreaking innovations in storytelling. Writers like Virginia Woolf and James Joyce adopted experimental techniques such as stream-of-consciousness and fragmented narratives as they embraced the idea that meaning is derived from textual analysis. This shift allowed modernist literature to challenge conventional forms while creating rich, complex interpretations based solely on textual elements.
• Evaluate the impact of new criticism on literary interpretation compared to contemporary critical theories like post-structuralism.
  • New criticism significantly impacted literary interpretation by establishing close reading as a fundamental practice that values textual evidence above all else. In contrast, contemporary theories like post-structuralism argue that meaning is not fixed within the text but is shaped by reader responses and cultural contexts. While new criticism seeks a singular understanding based on intrinsic qualities, post-structuralism embraces multiple interpretations influenced by diverse perspectives, reflecting a shift toward recognizing the dynamic nature of literature in relation to society.

Related terms

Close Reading: A careful and detailed analysis of a text, focusing on language, structure, and meaning to uncover deeper insights.

Formalist Criticism: A literary approach that prioritizes the form and structure of a work over its content, themes, or historical background.

Intentional Fallacy: The belief that an author's intention should not influence the interpretation of a text, emphasizing that meaning is found within the text itself.