1. Mr. Wilson’s English Class
Literary Criticism
Mr. Wilson’s English Class

2. Two Major Approaches Reader Response Criticism: New Criticism:
The most important aspect is that of the reader. Everything stems from this thought – and basically YOUR OPINION becomes the focus. (READER vs. TEXT)
New Criticism:
The text is more important then the reader. Trying to make Literary Criticism more objective. (TEXT vs. TEXT)

3. “There are no facts, only interpretations.”
- Friedrich Nietzsche

4. Subjective vs. Objective
From your perspective, your feelings, your opinions, your experiences!
Objective:
“A truth that remains true…”
The opposite of subjective?
A fact?
Can anything really be completely objective?

5. Literary Criticism Reader Response /Feminist Criticism = SUBJECTIVE
New Criticism = OBJECTIVE
(or least, trying to be…)

6. Reader Response
Reading can be both and unconscious and a conscious process.
There are different types of READERS:
Ideal readers
Non-ideal readers
Reading is an ACTIVE process where you are engaged in the text.

7. Reader Response
As a reader, you are also part of the social world you grew up in.
Structuralist = text
Reader’s perception
Reader’s social/identity group
Interpretation…leads to meaning…which leads to Criticism.

8. New Criticism
Trying to create a more objective view of literary criticism.
Do not believe Reader Response is valid.
Meaning resides in the STRUCTURE of the text.
Every text expresses and resolves one great tension, leading to harmony.

9. New Criticism “Close reading?” Looking at the author’s use of: Diction
Allusions
Images and symbols
Dramatic situations
Style

10. (I’m excited for the Jamboree…)
Questions?
(I’m excited for the Jamboree…)