Discuss new criticism in literature

New Criticism was a literary movement that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. It was characterized by a focus on the close reading and analysis of literary texts, with an emphasis on the internal structures and patterns of the work itself, rather than its historical or biographical context.

Key features of New Criticism:

  1. Formalism: New Critics believed that the meaning of a literary work was contained within the text itself, and that external factors such as the author's biography or historical context were irrelevant.
  2. Close reading: New Critics developed a rigorous method of reading and analyzing literary texts, which involved paying close attention to the language, imagery, symbolism, and other literary devices used in the work.
  3. Intrinsic meaning: New Critics believed that the meaning of a literary work was intrinsic, meaning that it was contained within the text itself, rather than being imposed by external factors.
  4. Autonomy of the text: New Critics believed that literary texts were autonomous, meaning that they had their own internal logic and structure, and that they did not require external explanations or interpretations.
  5. Emphasis on the text itself: New Critics focused on the text itself, rather than on the author's intentions, historical context, or cultural background.

Major figures associated with New Criticism:

  1. I.A. Richards: A British literary critic and philosopher, Richards is often considered the founder of New Criticism. His book "Principles of Literary Criticism" (1924) is a key work in the development of the movement.
  2. William Empson: A British literary critic and poet, Empson is known for his work on the complexities of language and meaning in literature. His book "Seven Types of Ambiguity" (1924) is a classic of New Criticism.
  3. T.S. Eliot: An American-British poet, playwright, and literary critic, Eliot was a key figure in the development of New Criticism. His book "The Waste Land" (1922) is a classic example of modernist poetry, and his essays on literature and culture are influential in the movement.
  4. Cleanth Brooks: An American literary critic and scholar, Brooks is known for his work on the poetry of William Wordsworth and the development of New Criticism. His book "The Well Wrought Urn" (1947) is a key work in the movement.

Key texts associated with New Criticism:

  1. "Principles of Literary Criticism" (1924) by I.A. Richards
  2. "Seven Types of Ambiguity" (1924) by William Empson
  3. "The Waste Land" (1922) by T.S. Eliot
  4. "The Well Wrought Urn" (1947) by Cleanth Brooks

Impact of New Criticism:

  1. Shift from historical to formal analysis: New Criticism marked a shift away from historical and biographical analysis of literary texts, and towards a focus on the internal structures and patterns of the work itself.
  2. Increased attention to literary devices: New Criticism emphasized the importance of literary devices such as imagery, symbolism, and metaphor, and encouraged readers to pay close attention to these elements in their analysis of literary texts.
  3. Development of literary theory: New Criticism laid the groundwork for the development of literary theory, and influenced the development of subsequent literary movements such as structuralism and poststructuralism.
  4. Influence on literary education: New Criticism had a significant impact on literary education, and influenced the way that literature was taught in universities and schools.

Criticisms of New Criticism:

  1. Overemphasis on the text: Some critics argue that New Criticism's focus on the text itself can lead to a neglect of the historical and cultural context in which the work was written.
  2. Lack of attention to authorial intention: New Criticism's rejection of authorial intention can lead to a lack of attention to the author's own understanding of their work.
  3. Limited scope: New Criticism's focus on the internal structures and patterns of the text can lead to a limited scope of analysis, and neglect of broader cultural and historical contexts.

Overall, New Criticism was a significant literary movement that emphasized the importance of close reading and analysis of literary texts, and had a lasting impact on literary theory and education.