Literary Criticism Approaches

What is the purpose of literary criticism?

• • To help us get a good grade on Paper 1

• • To help us sort between and resolve conflicting interpretations.

• To limit put down some text and raise others.

Match the following

• Historical and biographical criticism

• • Text as a work of art and meaning must be found within the text.

• Post-colonial criticism.

• History and life of the author.

• Moral or philosophical criticism

• cultural, political, and historical impacts of colonialism

• Formalist criticism

• Text as a method to teach moral lessons or show philosophical thought.

Match the following

• Marxist Criticism

• • Focus on class - economic and social class and power.

• Feminist Criticism

• • How social class, economic status, religion, political beliefs, race, and other views affect the production and reception of texts.

• Cultural Criticism

• • Text as a psychological reflection of the characters or the author.

• Psychological Criticism

• • Text as a reflection of gender roles and power in society.

Which question fits: Historical/Biographical criticism?

• How does the work deal with identity?

• How does the work portray marginalised people?

• What influences did historical events have on the author's work?

Which question fits: Post-colonial criticism?

• How does the work explore gender roles?

• How does the work challenge narratives of national identity?

• What influences did historical events have on the author's work?

Which question fits: Moral and Philosophical criticism?

• How did the revolution influence the author's work?

• How does the work challenge narratives of national identity?

• What enduring truth is revealed in the work?

Which question fits: Formalist criticism?

• How did the revolution influence the author's work?

• How does the author use structure and stylistic devices in the work?

• What enduring truth is revealed in the work?

Which question fits: Psychological criticism?

• What does the character's choice reveal about their motivations?

• How does the author use structure and stylistic devices in the work?

• What enduring truth is revealed in the work?

Which question fits: Feminist criticism?

• What does the character's choice reveal about their motivations?

• What do the interactions between men and women reveal about the power relationships between the sexes?

• What enduring truth is revealed in the work?

Which question fits: Marxist criticism?

• What does the character's choice reveal about their motivations?

• What do the interactions between men and women reveal about the power relationships between the sexes?

• To what extent does the work succeed at highlighting the challenges of poverty?