Literary Criticism schools of thought, concepts, key terms, and process

Archetypal/Mythological Criticism Humans have similar ways looking at the world: archetypes. Images, characters, symbols, and story patterns that all humans recognize. Responses to archetypes deep and unconscious Archetypes represent universal experiences: hopes, fears, expectations and values. Mythological stories are built on these archetypes. Focus/Key Ideas

Archetypal/Mythological Criticism Archetypal story patterns: –Hero/ quest –initiation/coming of age –metamorphosis –the underworld –birth/death/rebirth Terms/Concepts

Archetypal/Mythological Criticism Archetypal characters: –Hero –Innocent youth –Damsel in distress –scapegoat –trickster –wise old man/woman –father figure/earth mother Terms/Concepts

Archetypal images and symbols Sun, moon Sunset, sunrise water, sea Circles Snakes, monsters Caves Fire Paradise Archetypal/Mythological Criticism Terms/Concepts

Archetypal/Mythological Criticism look at characters, images, and symbols Look for similarities to myths—then look at differences look for underlying patterns that reveal universal meanings RESEARCHRESEARCH the archetypes that you think applies to your story Process

Archetypal/Mythological Criticism Luke is a classic hero—starts young, innocent, not knowing his true identity Story is a quest and follow the “hero’s journey” pattern (research this!). Star Wars takes mythical elements and translates them to a high-tech world—what does this tell us about our feelings about technology. Example

Feminist/Gender Criticism Society defines what it means to be a a man or woman, masculine or feminine—these definitions can shape and sometimes limit people’s identities, opportunities, etc. Both men and women are affected by gender roles and stereotypes. Traditionally, “male” is seen as the norm—”female” is seen as the “other”. What happens when we becomne aware of this? Feminism says that…Women are NOT “better” or “worse” than men—their experiences and interpretations are different and equally valuable Women have different ways of speaking and writing than men do—they use different symbols, metaphors, etc. Focus/Key Ideas

Feminist/Gender Criticism Terms matriarchy/matriarchal patriarchy/patriarchal stereotype gender role masculine or feminine discourse

Feminist/Gender Criticism Focus on the roles of men and women Pay attention to who has power and voice Look for characters who try to defy stereotypes or who represent them Look for the author’s attitudes about gender— are there assumptions that shape the story? Look for diction or other elements that indicate masculine or feminine discourse and how that shapes the story Process

Feminist/Gender Criticism, Why, in a “futuristic” story, are there so few female characters? What does this tell us about today’s society, or about the movie maker’s view of women? Princess Leia defies some stereotypes for the “princess”. Although Luke tries to rescue her, she is not a “damsel in distress.” She is the leader of the rebels, she can fight, she criticizes her male rescuers, etc. Leia’s role seems to be to inspire and approve of the heroic deeds of the men, and serve as a foil to Vader. She doesn’t perform heroic acts herself. Example

Social Class Criticism Similar to gender criticism Points out that socioeconomic forces affect people: characters, authors, readers Exposes inequalities in power and access caused by social and economic class—believes the upper classes tend to exploit the lower classes People don’t notice that they are part of a socioeconomic system and they do not question or challenge it—it shapes their perceptions of everything in life Focus/Key Ideas

Marxist Criticism Terms Class Class struggle Proletariat/bourgeois/capitalist Ideology and institutions Materialism Upper class/working class/lowER class Exploitation Advantage/disadvantage

Marxist Criticism Identify the socioeconomic class of characters (and the author) Look for struggles between characters of different classes, or of characters trying to move between classes Look for assumptions about class and power made by the author or characters. Challenge the assumptions! Look for good guys/bad guys—who is exploiting whom? Process

Marxist Criticism Although our heroes Luke and Han are working class, the power brokers in this struggle are Vader and Leia, who both belong to the upper class. Luke’s humble upbringing and Han’s outsider status give them tools that the upper classes do not recognize as dangerous. Example

Psychological / Psychoanalytical Criticism Focus/Key Ideas Heavily influenced by Freudian and Jungian theory Everyone goes through similar patterns of development, but with unique personal experiences. Looking at the 2 together can explain personality. Reading a literary work is a way of experiencing the consciousness of the author Examines the internal mental states, desires, and motivations of characters

Psychological / Psychoanalytical Criticism Terms Conscious/ Preconscious/ Unconscious Freudian: Id/ego/super ego Individuation and self-actualization Jungian: ego/shadow/anima or animus Stages of development: for exampleOedipal complex / Electra complex oral/anal/phallic Repression

Psychological / Psychoanalytical Criticism Process Try to explain characters’ actions, motivations and attitudes Pay attention to patterns of development. Pay attention to symbols and dreams Look for what is unsaid—subtle clues to unconscious motivations or feelings Research the particular complex or stage you think you see

Psychological / Psychoanalytical Criticism Example Luke, Han and Leia need each other to complete their mission because only together do they form a complete psyche: the ego, shadow, and animus. Luke is unable to reach maturity until he has confronted his missing father figure. Han shows narcissistic and sociopathic tendencies because he is driven by his id. Teaming with Luke and Leia helps him balance his id with ego and superego functions and become a contributing member of society.