1. Literary Criticism (II): Language and Society

2. Starting Questions: What are the artistic components of a poem? And of a short stories? How about language components? Social components? How is language/literature related to society? –Reflection? Criticizing? Constructing? –Society’s structure? Cultures? Views and Biases?

3. Example I: “ The Long Enchantment ” 1.Structuralist Sender of message: Pony Receiver: Flora Subject (Heroine) of a Quest : Flora Object: Pony Helper: Flora & Pony Themselves Opponent: Wizard Not a Fairy Not a Prince

4. Example I: “ The Long Enchantment ” 2. Sociological: Flora’s class background? –Why is the pear so important? Who is the real villain? 3. Deconstruction: –The Wizard’s message. What does the pear represent in this text?

5. Example II: Milton’s Sonnet 19 When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he returning chide, "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?" I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent

6. Example II: Milton’s Sonnet 19 That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts: who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed And post o'er land and ocean without rest: They also serve who only stand and wait."

7. Questions about the sonnet: New Critical approach: What are the poetic techniques used? What are the tensions and ironies in this poem? And how are they resolved? Structuralist approach: How does the syntax help convey the contradictions? Is there a resolution syntactically?

8. Questions about the sonnet(2) Marxist approach: What are the ideologies conveyed in this poem? Does the poet fully support the Puritan idea of predestination? Deconstruction: Again, the central contradiction, can it be resolved?