Explain the concept of new criticism

New Criticism was a literary movement that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. It was a response to the traditional approaches to literary analysis, which focused on the author's intentions, historical context, and biographical information. New Critics sought to develop a more rigorous and scientific method of analyzing literature, focusing on the text itself rather than external factors.

Key principles of New Criticism:

1. Formalism: New Critics emphasized the importance of the text's formal structure, such as its use of language, imagery, symbolism, and other literary devices. They believed that the text's meaning was embedded in its formal features, rather than in external factors like the author's intentions or historical context.
2. Autonomy of the text: New Critics believed that the text was a self-contained, autonomous entity that could be analyzed independently of external factors. They rejected the idea that the text was merely a reflection of the author's thoughts or the historical context in which it was written.
3. Close reading: New Critics advocated for a close, detailed reading of the text, paying attention to the smallest details of language, syntax, and imagery. They believed that this approach would reveal the text's underlying structure and meaning.
4. Irony and ambiguity: New Critics were fascinated by the ways in which texts could be ironic, ambiguous, or open to multiple interpretations. They believed that these complexities were essential to the text's meaning and that they required careful analysis to uncover.
5. Rejection of biographical criticism: New Critics rejected the idea that a text's meaning could be determined by the author's biography or personal experiences. They believed that the text was a separate entity from the author and that its meaning was embedded in its formal structure.

Notable New Critics:

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 seminal work in the field.
2. William Empson: A British literary critic and poet, Empson is known for his work on the complexities of language and meaning. 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 essay "The Sacred Wood" (1920) is a influential work in the field.
4. Cleanth Brooks: An American literary critic and scholar, Brooks was a prominent figure in the New Criticism movement. His book "The Well Wrought Urn" (1947) is a classic of the field.

New Criticism had a significant impact on literary studies, influencing the development of literary theory and criticism in the 20th century. While the movement has been criticized for its limitations and biases, it remains an important part of literary history and continues to influence literary analysis today.