History of new criticism

New Criticism was a literary movement that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s in the United States and the United Kingdom. It was a response to the traditional approaches to literary criticism, which were seen as too focused on historical and biographical contexts, and too concerned with moral and social issues.

The core principles of New Criticism were:

  1. Formalism: New Critics believed that the primary focus of literary analysis should be on the formal properties of the text, such as its structure, imagery, and symbolism, rather than on external factors like the author's life or historical context.
  2. Close reading: New Critics advocated for a close and detailed reading of the text, paying attention to the language, imagery, and other literary devices used by the author.
  3. Intrinsic meaning: New Critics believed that the meaning of a text is inherent in the text itself, rather than being imposed by external factors like cultural or historical context.
  4. Autonomy of the text: New Critics believed that the text is a self-contained unit, with its own internal logic and meaning, rather than being influenced by external factors like the author's intentions or the reader's expectations.

Some of the key figures associated with New Criticism include:

  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 considered a foundational text of the movement.
  2. William Empson: A British literary critic and poet, Empson was a key figure in the development of New Criticism. His book "Seven Types of Ambiguity" (1924) is a classic example of New Critical analysis.
  3. T.S. Eliot: An American-British poet and critic, Eliot was a key figure in the development of New Criticism. His essay "The Sacred Wood" (1920) is a classic example of New Critical criticism.
  4. Cleanth Brooks: An American literary critic and scholar, Brooks was a key figure in the development of New Criticism. His book "The Well Wrought Urn" (1947) is a classic example of New Critical analysis.

Some of the key texts associated with New Criticism include:

  1. "Principles of Literary Criticism" (1924) by I.A. Richards: This book is considered a foundational text of New Criticism, and outlines the principles of close reading and formalism.
  2. "Seven Types of Ambiguity" (1924) by William Empson: This book is a classic example of New Critical analysis, and explores the ways in which literary texts use ambiguity and complexity to create meaning.
  3. "The Sacred Wood" (1920) by T.S. Eliot: This essay is a classic example of New Critical criticism, and explores the ways in which literary texts use symbolism and imagery to create meaning.
  4. "The Well Wrought Urn" (1947) by Cleanth Brooks: This book is a classic example of New Critical analysis, and explores the ways in which literary texts use formal structures and literary devices to create meaning.

New Criticism had a significant impact on literary studies, and its principles continue to influence literary analysis and criticism to this day. However, the movement has also been criticized for its limitations, such as its focus on formalism and its neglect of historical and cultural context.