Literary Theory & Criticism - Languages, Literature & Philosophy

Literary Theory & Criticism
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010 FALL 2010
Connections: Criticism & Theory
Recently, a student commented to me that our “open floor” conversations are far more enjoyable than a summary or
lecture about “what happened on any given page” of our text. Indeed, one of the pleasures of reading is being able
to engage in conversations through which we gain insight and understanding of a text on many levels. However,
what you “get” from a critical reading depends on what you are willing to give.
Critical reading often begins in an easy chair with a pen in hand. Exploring texts for deeper meanings sometimes
means a second or even a third reading. The notes in the margin soon become your guide to analysis providing
substance for reading journals and topics for classroom discussions.
Reading journals offer you an opportunity to analyze your reactions to the text while developing an awareness of
how and why you arrive at certain conclusions or opinions about the reading, the writer, and how all of it relates to
the human condition. As you formulate any textual analysis remember that your perspective is influenced by many
things including where you live, your family, your church, your peers, and your teachers. And similar to discussions
about various sponsors of our literacy, influences in your lives are the lenses through which you develop opinions
and theories.
When theorizing, I encourage you to embrace your inner thoughts, break free from the proverbial box around you,
and share your reactions and opinions. When you hypothesize in your thesis and then support your analysis with
textual evidence and/or literary criticisms, victory is yours!
But what is the difference between literary theory and literary criticism? More than likely, you have heard the two
terms used interchangeably; however, there are some distinct differences.
By definition, “theory” is speculative. When one posits a literary theory, he or she suggests a hypothesis about
something they have read and then attempts to prove or disprove that suggestion. Think of theory as a lens through
which you can focus on a particular aspect of the work and criticism as the application of those theories. Based on
that, think of a critical essay, an assignment you are certain to receive, as an evaluation or interpretation of literature
in which the text is analyzed through one or more theoretical lens.
There are many schools of critical theory. As an introduction, I have
included a short list of the more familiar schools of literary theory
along with a brief description of their focus. Also included are a few
online reference sites through which you can further explore the
diverse world of literary theory and criticism.
Sigmund Freud
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
Susan Gubar
Carl Jung
Sandra Gilbert

Schools of Literary Criticism ~ A Beginning
This handout is your introduction to schools of literary theory and criticism. This list is not comprehensive nor are the brief explanations the only ways of
distinguishing these areas of theory. It is important to remember that a critic may reference more than one school of criticism in his or her analysis.
Formalism Considers the text without incorporating elements of the literary movement or author’s life, focusing on the formal
elements of a work: its language, structure, tone, and literary devices like diction, irony, metaphor, paradox, symbols, plot,
characterization, setting, or theme. How does it all connect and work together to create the author’s meaning?
Psychoanalytic Explores the role of consciousnesses and the unconscious in literature including that of the author, reader, and
characters in the text. Psychoanalytic Criticism builds on theories of psychology from several notable psychologists like Sigmund
Freud. Related to this is Jungian Criticism, based on theories of Carl Jung, a student of Freud’s.
Marxist Emphasizes themes of class conflict and explores social institutions represented in literature.
These theories are partially informed by the philosophy of Karl Marx. Georg Lukács is credited as the
founder of Western Marxism.
Reader-Response Focuses upon the reader’s active response to a text and the relationship between
the reader and the text; leading theorists include Stanley Fish, Wayne Booth, & Louis Rosenblatt.
New Historicism and Cultural Studies Examines the work through its
historical context and seeks to understand cultural and intellectual history
through literature.
Georg Lukács
Post-Colonial Focuses on the influences colonialism and conflict resulting
from the colonization and exploitation of less developed countries and its indigenous peoples by Western
nations. Homi K. Bhabha is an important and influential post-colonial theorist.
Feminist Focuses on representations of women through an examination of roles, relationships, and
representations of power. Early feminist criticism focused on authorship and representations of women
in literature. The two feminist scholars pictured on the front are Susan Gubar and Sandra Gilbert.
Homi K. Bhabha
Queer Studies Analyzes gender identity and sexuality in literature, specifically how gay & lesbian
individuals are portrayed in literature, their responses to various works of literature, and how their portrayal/acceptance has
changed over the years. Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, pictured on the front, was a pioneer in gender and queer theory.
A Few Online Resources to Explore
Brizee, Allen J. and Case Tompkins. “Literary Theory and Schools of Criticism.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. 2010. Purdue
University. September 22, 2010. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/01/. Web.
“Carl Jung.” Encyclopedia of World Biography.” 2010. Avameg, Inc. September 21, 2010. http://
www.notablebiographies.com/Jo-Ki/Jung-Carl.html. Web.
Cohen, Patricia. “Lit Critics Who Peer Under the Covers.” The New York Times. April 18, 2009. The New York Times
Company. September 21, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/weekinreview/19cohen.html?_r=1. Web.
Felluga, Dino. "General Introduction to the Site." Introductory Guide to Critical Theory. November 28, 2003. Purdue University.
September 16, 2010. www.purdue.edu/guidetotheory/introduction/. Web.
“Rhetorical and Cultural Studies: Critical Theory.” Online Communications Studies Resources. The University of Iowa College of
Liberal Arts & Sciences Department of Communication Studies. June 18, 2009. 091610. http://www.uiowa.edu/
~commstud/resources/critical_authors.html. Web.
“Voice of the Shuttle.” Gender and Sexuality. 2010. 091610. http://vos.ucsb.edu/browse.asp?id=2711. Web.
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