1. Critical Theory Strategies for reading

2. What is Critical Theory? O Different ways of looking at text (think new lenses) O None is “more right” than another O Some stories can be viewed through many perspectives – even at the same time! O Multiple perspectives allow us to see things in new light and think about these things in different ways

3. Formalist Criticism O Formal elements of a work – language, structure, and tone O How do the parts connect to the whole O Modern Formalists – New Critics O “Just the facts ma’am” O Poetry lends itself nicely to this lens

4. Biographical Criticism O Author’s background aids in enriching themes, ideas, topics, etc. developed in a text O May not always reflect the author’s life, but it may give clarity or add richness to our reading of it

5. Psychoanalytical Criticism O Sigmund Freud – psychoanalytic theory (unconscious mind) O Id – basic desires (repressed) O Superego – morals, codes, guilt O Ego – the arbitrator (how far should I go?) O Oedipus/Electra Complex – competition with the father/mother (respectively) to take their place. O Uncover the author’s unconscious meaning behind a text (or the reader’s)

6. Historical Criticism O Four main types O Literary History O Marxist O New Historicist O Cultural

7. Literary History O Examine the “life and times” of the society in which it was written O Look for social currents/trends O Examine multiple perspectives of people during this time on this topic

8. Marxist O Proletariat vs. Bourgeoisie O Struggles with: O Culture O Race O Class O Power

9. New Historicist O History read in a modern context O Examine all facets of history – economical, sociological, anthropological, political

10. Cultural O Popular cultural influences O A combination of new historicism, psychology, gender, and deconstructionism O Looks at comics, TV shows, commercials, radio shows, etc.

11. Gender Criticism O Focus on how men and women are socially constructed in text O Includes: O Gay/Lesbian Criticism O Feminist Criticism

12. Feminism O Places literature in a social context O Looks at the representation of women through what has been a traditionally male- dominated society

13. Gay and Lesbian O Focuses on how homosexuals are represented in text O Looks at how sexuality and gender are constructed in society

14. Mythological Criticism O Archetypal critiques examine the hopes, fears, and expectations of cultures O Look for common human concerns in text O Archetypes – universal symbols that embody the basic human experience

15. Reader Response Criticism O Focuses on, you guessed it, the reader O Bring our own assumptions and expectations to a work – so what do we see?

16. Deconstructionist Criticism O Literary works do not yield fixed, single meanings O Language is too easily interpreted in various ways – therefore no right answer can be found O Find the ways to destabilize meanings