New Criticism was a prominent literary theory that emerged in the early to mid-20th century, primarily in the United States, emphasising close reading and analysis of literary texts. This critical approach aims to dissect and understand works of literature solely through the examination of the text itself, independent of the author's biography, historical context, or reader response. Here's an overview of its origins, key principles, and proponents along with simplified examples at the end.
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How did New Criticism emerge?
New Criticism emerged as a literary theory in the early 20th century, evolving amidst the backdrop of significant cultural and intellectual shifts. Its inception can be traced to the works and discussions of scholars like I.A. Richards, John Crowe Ransom, and T.S. Eliot during the 1920s and 1930s. This period marked a departure from the previously dominant critical approaches that often integrated historical, biographical, or societal contexts into literary analysis.
New Criticism arose as a response, advocating for a more rigorous examination of the text itself, divorcing it from extraneous influences and focusing exclusively on the intrinsic qualities of the literary work. This shift in critical perspective laid the foundation for a methodical and formalistic approach to literature that continues to influence literary studies to this day.
Key Principles and Characteristics of New Criticism
New Criticism, as a literary theory, revolves around several fundamental principles and distinctive characteristics that set it apart within literary analysis. Here are a few key principles and characteristics of New Criticism:
1. Close Reading and Textual Analysis:
- Emphasizes a meticulous examination of the text itself, focusing on its intrinsic qualities, language, structure, and symbolism.
- Encourages readers to explore the multiple layers of meaning within the text, avoiding external influences such as authorial intent or historical context.
2. Formalism and the Autonomy of the Text:
- Advocates for the autonomy of the literary work, assert that the text should be treated as a self-contained entity independent of the author's biography or societal context.
- Places significance on the formal elements of literature, including but not limited to plot, character development, setting, and theme, in isolation from external factors.
3. Intentional Fallacy and Affective Fallacy:
- Rejects the relevance of the author's intentions in interpreting a work's meaning (Intentional Fallacy).
- Disregard the reader's emotional response or personal interpretation as the basis for assessing a work's value or meaning (Affective Fallacy).
4. Emphasis on Paradox, Irony, and Ambiguity:
- Acknowledges the presence of paradoxes, irony, and ambiguity within literary texts as essential components that demand close scrutiny and analysis.
- Views these literary devices not as flaws but as integral elements that contribute to the richness and complexity of the text.
5. Objective Criticism and Universality:
- Strives for objectivity in interpretation by seeking universal and timeless meanings within the text.
- It aspires to uncover enduring truths and themes that transcend temporal and cultural boundaries, making the text relevant across diverse contexts.
6. Formalist Language and Techniques:
- Utilises formalist language and analytical techniques such as structural analysis, rhetorical devices, patterns of imagery, and poetic language to dissect the text's nuances and subtleties.
7. Unity and Organic Whole:
- Emphasizes the unity and coherence of a literary work, treating it as an organic whole where every element contributes to the overall meaning and effect.
8. Emotion through Intellectual Engagement:
- Believes that emotional responses to literature should arise from intellectual engagement with the text rather than personal experiences or biases.
Influential figures and their contributions
Influential figures such as John Crowe Ransom, Cleanth Brooks, and other proponents played pivotal roles in shaping New Criticism and propelling its prominence within literary discourse. Let’s discuss them one by one in detail:
John Crowe Ransom:
John Crowe Ransom's influential work "The New Criticism" (1941) laid the groundwork for New Criticism by emphasizing close textual analysis and the autonomy of literary works. Ransom advocated for examining a text's intrinsic qualities rather than relying on external context or authorial intent.
Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren:
Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren co-authored "Understanding Poetry" (1938), a pivotal text in New Criticism. Their work stressed the importance of close reading and explication, urging readers to focus on the formal elements of poetry to unravel multiple layers of meaning within poems. Brooks particularly highlighted paradoxes, ambiguities, and tensions in poetic language.
T.S. Eliot:
T.S. Eliot's critical essays, notably "The Sacred Wood" (1920), contributed significantly to New Criticism by emphasizing the objective correlative and the idea of impersonality in poetry. Eliot stressed the importance of emotions arising from intellectual engagement with the text rather than personal experiences.
I.A. Richards:
I.A. Richards, known for "Practical Criticism" (1929), advocated for a systematic analysis of texts devoid of biographical or historical context. His emphasis on close reading and the emotional response generated through literary engagement aligns with key New Critical principles.
💡These figures collectively shaped New Criticism by emphasizing close textual analysis, the autonomy of literary works, and the significance of formal elements in understanding and interpreting literature.
Examples and Case Studies
Here are some real-life examples to help you understand New Criticism:
Example 1: Analyzing a Song
Imagine you're analyzing the lyrics of a popular song, such as "Imagine" by John Lennon. New Criticism would involve closely examining the words, metaphors, themes, and the interplay between them within the song itself, without considering Lennon's life, historical events, or the cultural context of the time. You would focus solely on the language, structure, and symbolism within the lyrics to derive meaning.
Example 2: Studying a Painting
Consider looking at a famous painting like Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night." In applying New Criticism, you would concentrate on the colours, brushstrokes, composition, and relationships between various elements within the painting. Instead of delving into van Gogh's biography or the historical context of the artwork's creation, you'd purely analyze the visual aspects and symbolism within the painting itself.
Example 3: Reading a Poem
If you were to read a poem like Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken," New Criticism would involve closely examining the words, rhythm, rhyme scheme, imagery, and symbolism used within the poem. You'd concentrate on the linguistic devices employed by the poet to convey multiple meanings or emotions, disregarding Frost's life or the societal context during his time.
Example 4: Analyzing a Novel
Consider reading a classic novel like F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." New Criticism would involve closely examining the narrative style, character development, symbolism, motifs, and themes presented within the text itself. Instead of exploring Fitzgerald's life or the socio-economic conditions of the 1920s, you'd focus on the novel's language and how various literary elements contribute to its overall meaning.
💡In essence, New Criticism entails interpreting and deriving meaning solely from the text itself, emphasizing the inherent qualities and structures within the literary work, rather than considering external factors such as the author's background, historical context, or societal influences.
Key Takeaways
New Criticism emphasizes analyzing a text's content, excluding the author's intentions or emotions. It focuses on literary devices, paradoxes, and ambiguity within the text. Figures like John Crowe Ransom supported text autonomy, while Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren emphasized close reading in poetry. T.S. Eliot stressed objective correlative, and I.A. Richards advocated context-free analysis. New Criticism interprets works to reveal deeper themes, using close reading to decode everyday behaviours or phrases. Relating analysis to daily experiences aids comprehension. Its systematic approach enriches text interpretation by emphasizing internal textual elements.
