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New Criticism: A Critical Approach to Literature

Introduction

New Criticism was a literary movement that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in the United States. It was characterized by a focus on the text itself, rather than on the author's intentions or the historical context in which the work was written. New Critics believed that the meaning of a text was not fixed or determinate, but rather was created by the reader through their interpretation of the text.

Key Principles

  1. Formalism: New Critics believed that the form of a text was more important than its content. They argued that the structure, style, and language of a text were essential to understanding its meaning.
  2. Autonomy: New Critics believed that a text was autonomous, meaning that it had its own internal logic and meaning, independent of external factors such as the author's intentions or the historical context.
  3. Intrinsic meaning: New Critics believed that the meaning of a text was intrinsic, meaning that it was contained within the text itself, rather than being imposed by external factors.
  4. Close reading: New Critics believed that the best way to understand a text was through close reading, which involved a detailed and systematic analysis of the text's language, structure, and other literary devices.

Major Theorists

  1. I.A. Richards: Richards was a British literary critic who 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: Empson was a British literary critic who was influenced by Richards and developed his own theories about the nature of meaning in literature. His book "Seven Types of Ambiguity" (1928) is a classic of New Criticism.
  3. Cleanth Brooks: Brooks was an American literary critic who was a key figure in the development of New Criticism in the United States. His book "The Well Wrought Urn" (1947) is a classic of the movement.

Examples of New Critical Analysis

  1. The Waste Land: T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land" is a classic example of a text that has been analyzed using New Critical methods. New Critics have argued that the poem's meaning is created through its use of imagery, symbolism, and other literary devices.
  2. The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby" has been analyzed using New Critical methods, with a focus on the novel's use of symbolism, imagery, and other literary devices to create its meaning.

Criticisms of New Criticism

  1. Overemphasis on form: Some critics have argued that New Criticism's focus on form and structure can lead to a neglect of the content and themes of a text.
  2. Lack of attention to context: New Criticism's emphasis on the text itself can lead to a neglect of the historical and cultural context in which the text was written.
  3. Limited understanding of meaning: Some critics have argued that New Criticism's focus on the text's internal logic and meaning can lead to a limited understanding of the text's meaning and significance.

Conclusion

New Criticism was a significant literary movement that emphasized the importance of close reading and the autonomy of the text. While it has been influential in shaping literary criticism and theory, it has also been subject to criticism and revision. Today, New Criticism remains an important part of literary studies, and its principles continue to influence literary analysis and interpretation.