New criticism theory

New Criticism was a literary theory that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in the United States. It was a reaction against 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 believed that the text itself is the primary object of study, and that the reader's attention should be focused on the formal structures and patterns within the text.
2. Autonomy: The text is seen as an autonomous entity, independent of external influences such as authorial intention, historical context, or biographical information.
3. Close reading: New Critics advocated for a close and detailed reading of the text, paying attention to the language, imagery, symbolism, and other literary devices used by the author.
4. Intrinsic meaning: The meaning of the text is seen as inherent and self-contained, rather than being derived from external sources.
5. Irony and ambiguity: New Critics often emphasized the importance of irony and ambiguity in literature, arguing that these elements can create a richer and more complex meaning.

Major figures associated with New Criticism:

1. I.A. Richards: A British literary critic and philosopher, Richards is often credited with developing the principles of New Criticism.
2. William Empson: A British literary critic and poet, Empson is known for his work on ambiguity and irony in literature.
3. T.S. Eliot: An American-British poet, playwright, and literary critic, Eliot was a key figure in the development of New Criticism.
4. Cleanth Brooks: An American literary critic and scholar, Brooks was a prominent advocate for New Criticism and wrote extensively on the subject.
5. Robert Penn Warren: An American poet, novelist, and literary critic, Warren was a key figure in the development of New Criticism in the United States.

Influence of New Criticism:

1. Literary analysis: New Criticism's emphasis on close reading and formal analysis has had a lasting impact on literary analysis and criticism.
2. Poetics: New Criticism's focus on the formal structures and patterns of poetry has influenced the development of poetics and the study of poetry.
3. Theory of literature: New Criticism's emphasis on the autonomy of the text and the importance of intrinsic meaning has influenced the development of literary theory more broadly.

Criticisms of New Criticism:

1. Overemphasis on form: Some critics argue that New Criticism's focus on form and structure can lead to a neglect of other important aspects of literature, such as historical context and authorial intention.
2. Limited scope: New Criticism's emphasis on close reading and formal analysis can make it difficult to consider larger cultural or historical contexts.
3. Lack of attention to power dynamics: New Criticism's focus on the text itself can lead to a neglect of the power dynamics and social contexts in which literature is produced and consumed.

Overall, New Criticism was an important movement in literary theory that emphasized the importance of close reading and formal analysis. While it has had a lasting impact on literary analysis and criticism, it has also been subject to criticisms and challenges from other theoretical perspectives.