Critical methods of analyzing Literature Literary Theories Critical methods of analyzing Literature

An Overview Think of the following as perspectives to view a work of literature. These literary theories are ways of trying to make sense of the underlying points the author is trying to make and how a reader should understand the reading. We will add on to these as the year goes on.

Feminist criticism Holds that the majority of literature is structured from a masculine / patriarchal view, and the role of women is negated or, at best, minimized. Seeks to raise consciousness about the importance and unique nature of women in literature. Focuses on the misguided and prejudiced views toward women. Attempts to bring the female gender into equality with that of the male gender.

Feminist criticism Questions to consider: How important are the female characters and how individual are they? Are they credited with their own existence and their own character? In relationships with men, how are they treated? Are the women given equal status, ignored, patronized, and/or demeaned? Do the male characters exhibit interest in female concerns?

Marxist criticism Emphasizes that the primary concern of life is economic. Views society as an opposition between capitalist and working classes. Focuses on individuals, usually lower class, in the grips of class struggle, attempting to rise from their working drudgery and living misery.

Marxist criticism Questions to consider: What is the economic status of the characters? What happens to them as a result of this status? How do they fare against economic and political opposition? Does the writer focus on other aspects of their class, i.e. education, nutrition, health care, other opportunities? How should readers consider the work, given a modern perspective?

Psychological criticism Focuses on the premise that behavior is caused by hidden and unconscious motives. Treats literature somewhat like information about patients in therapy. Attempts to draw connections from a work back to its author’s life.

Psychological criticism Questions to consider: What are the obvious and hidden motives causing a character’s behavior and speech? How much background about a character does the author reveal? How purposeful is this information in determining the character’s psychological condition?

Moral Intellectual Concerned with content and values Persons using this approach may look for a “message” in the work Judges a work by its ethical principals

Moral Intellectual Questions to consider: Is the work true and significant? Does it teach a lesson? Does the work help the reader lead a better life, improve their understanding of the world?

The Giving Tree With a partner, make sense of Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree by looking at the story through two of the perspectives. Write a paragraph from each of your two perspectives that explains the true meaning/underlying message that Silverstein is trying to get through to the readers. Choose perspectives that ultimately give at least somewhat different understandings of the story. Back up your views with support from the text.