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New Criticism: A Literary Theory

Introduction

New Criticism was a literary theory that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in the United States. It was a response to the romantic and idealistic approaches to literature that dominated the 19th and early 20th centuries. New Critics sought to establish a more scientific and objective approach to literary analysis, focusing on the text itself rather than the author's intentions or historical context.

Key Principles

  1. Formalism: New Critics believed that the form of a literary work is more important than its content. They focused on the structure, style, and language of the text, rather than its themes or messages.
  2. Autonomy: New Critics believed that a literary work is an autonomous entity, separate from its author, historical context, and cultural background. They argued that the text should be analyzed on its own terms, without reference to external factors.
  3. Intrinsic Meaning: New Critics believed that the meaning of a literary work is inherent in the text itself, rather than being imposed by the reader or critic. They sought to uncover the text's "intrinsic meaning" through close reading and analysis.
  4. Close Reading: New Critics developed a method of close reading that involved a detailed and systematic analysis of the text. They examined the language, structure, and imagery of the text, looking for patterns and relationships that revealed its meaning.
  5. Irony and Ambiguity: New Critics believed that literary works often contain irony and ambiguity, which can be used to challenge readers' assumptions and create multiple meanings.

Major Theorists

  1. I.A. Richards: A British literary critic and philosopher, Richards is often credited with developing the principles of New Criticism. His book "Principles of Literary Criticism" (1924) is a key text in the development of the theory.
  2. William Empson: A British literary critic and poet, Empson is known for his work on the ambiguity and complexity of literary language. His book "Seven Types of Ambiguity" (1924) is a classic of New Criticism.
  3. T.S. Eliot: An American poet and critic, Eliot was a key figure in the development of New Criticism. His essay "The Sacred Wood" (1920) is a influential work in the field.
  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 classic of the theory.

Major Works

  1. "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot: A modernist masterpiece that exemplifies the principles of New Criticism.
  2. "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner: A novel that challenges readers' assumptions and creates multiple meanings through its use of irony and ambiguity.
  3. "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot: A poem that is often cited as an example of New Criticism's focus on the text itself, rather than the author's intentions.

Criticisms and Limitations

  1. Overemphasis on Form: New Critics' focus on form can lead to an overemphasis on the text's structure and language, at the expense of its themes and messages.
  2. Neglect of Historical Context: New Critics' emphasis on the text's autonomy can lead to a neglect of its historical context and cultural background.
  3. Limited Scope: New Criticism is primarily concerned with literary works, and may not be applicable to other forms of writing or communication.

Legacy

New Criticism has had a significant impact on literary theory and criticism, influencing the development of subsequent theories such as Structuralism, Poststructuralism, and Deconstruction. Its emphasis on close reading and attention to detail has also influenced literary pedagogy and the teaching of literature.

Conclusion

New Criticism is a literary theory that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in the United States. Its key principles include formalism, autonomy, intrinsic meaning, close reading, and irony and ambiguity. Major theorists include I.A. Richards, William Empson, T.S. Eliot, and Cleanth Brooks. While New Criticism has had a significant impact on literary theory and criticism, it has also been criticized for its limitations and neglect of historical context.