Discussion Focus: New Criticism/Formalism & Reader’s Response Theory AN INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL LITERARY THEORY

Do Now: Take out your homework from last night and a writing utensil; I’m coming around to stamp them and give you homework credit. You can clear everything else off of your desk.

Let’s look at those questions! Pass your question to the person on your left. 1.Read and answer the question. When you finish, pass to the left. 2.Read the question, the answer, and then determine what type of question you’ve been given (“On your Own,” “Right There,” “Think and Search,” or “Author and You). Explain your answer. When you finish, pass to the left. 3.Read the question, answer, and analysis; revise the given question so that it becomes a “Right There,” question. When you finish, pass to the left.

Thanks for reviewing what you read last night and the questioning techniques we’ve been working with. WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED… ABOUT F451? ABOUT THIS PROCESS WE’VE BEEN USING?

For homework tonight, you need to finish reading Part One, “The Hearth and the Salamander.” You should also start planning for your first writing assignment. TO DO THIS, YOU’LL NEED SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

Answer the following question in your groups: What types of questions to teachers usually ask you about literature? What literary “buzz words” do they want you to talk about? Be ready to share your discussion points with the whole group!

I expected you to say things like… Plot Point of View Character Setting Symbolism Imagery Figurative Language Rhyme Meter Alliteration Rhythm

THERE’S A NAME FOR THIS ANALYSIS METHOD: Literary scholars call it “New Criticism” or “Formalism.” And MOST teachers (elementary, middle, high, and even a lot of college professors) use this theory to facilitate text analysis in their classrooms.

Let’s talk about it critically. Everything you need for analysis is contained within the text. Focus for analysis is on language and What words are used? How are they used? What’s their effect? literary conventions. What elements are present? Why are they significant?

Which is essentially… …like this photograph. You get a really good idea what the lilies are like, but at the expense of losing the environment they thrive in. When we use the New Criticism/Formalist approach EXCLUSIVELY to analyze literature, we lose a lot of other elements that are important to the text. Black and White and Colored Flowers Fine Art America. By Thomas Jarvais. Web. 26 Sept

While there’s nothing wrong with narrowing your focus. A text is still a beautiful work of art even when you focus on language and literary conventions. I JUST THINK YOU’RE READY TO DO MORE.

Discussion Focus: New Criticism/Formalism & Reader’s Response Theory AN INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL LITERARY THEORY

So what do we mean when we use the phrase “Critical Literary Theory”? The easy answer, is that we mean there is a multitude of ways to analyze a piece of literature—not just the New Criticism/Formalist Approach you’re used to. We’re going to start small, so we can build up your confidence.

Reader’s Response Theory In this approach, scholars say it’s the reader who makes meaning of what’s on the page. This means that each one of you will bring your own experiences, emotions, concerns, and knowledge to the text, which will impact what it “means” to you. As a caution, you do still need to support your interpretations and meaning with evidence from the text. Even though it’s all about how you interpret the events of the text, you can be “wrong” if your analysis doesn’t make logical sense and/or if it’s not based in text.

So, let’s get you going. Your prompt says: “[…]Walk me through the significance of the section title “The Hearth and the Salamander” and how you are able to make meaning of it as a reader. Requirements: You should make at least three direct references to the text (can be directly quoted or paraphrased); remember to cite your evidence.” So, what do you need to do? Work with your team to translate this into your own words. How will you know when you’ve accomplished your task?

Go ahead and get started. My suggestion for a time table/schedule is this: Friday (in class): Read in Fahrenheit 451. Friday (in class or at home): Make yourself a short outline; find three pieces of evidence from the text that help you make meaning of the title of this section. Monday (at home): Draft your response paper. The format for this assignment is up to you, but I’d actually prefer that it’s not typed. I’d be happiest if you hand wrote it in your notebook, but if you absolutely must type, you can put tape/glue your work into your notebook. Up to you! Tuesday: Hand in your notebook; I’ll get them back to you by Friday.