1. Literary Criticism Jacques Derrida Sandra Gilbert Susan Gubar Robert Penn Warren Cleanth Brooks Harold Bloom Stanley Fish

2. But Why? “They (contemporary critics) would argue that when we interpret a text we always do so from a theoretical perspective, whether we are aware of it or not, and they would also argue that theory cannot do without interpretation” (Bertens)

3. Important Questions What is the role of the author? Is the form important? What does it mean? To Whom? Who wants it to have this meaning and for what reasons? What is the role of the reader?

4. New Critical/Formalist 1.The distinctive procedure is “close reading:” detailed analysis of meanings and interactions of words, symbols, figures of speech. 2.Literature should be independent and self-sufficient, under the control of the author.

5. Feminist criticism/Gender studies Underlying assumptions: 1.Our civilization is pervasively patriarchal. 2.The concepts of “gender” are cultural constructs. 3.Much of “great literature” lacks autonomous female role models, are addressed to male readers, and leave women an alien outsider or solicit her to identify against herself by assuming male values and ways of perceiving.

6. Economic /Marxist/Social Darwinism Focuses on power and money-who has it, who does not. What other conditions stemming from their class does the author emphasize (poor education, inadequate opportunity, etc) To what extent does the work fail by overlooking the above?

7. Psychological/Psychoanalytic Reference author’s personality to explain and interpret work (Or vice-versa) (Example Keats obsession with death) Investigate the psychology of character to decide meaning of the text

8. Deconstructionist Assume the instability of language and the impossibility of arriving at a fixed standard to anchor interpretation. “There is nothing outside the text”(Derrida) Look for gaps, missing pieces, to “de-center” the text (the intended vs the unintended) http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/jbalkin/articles/d econessay.pdf http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/jbalkin/articles/d econessay.pdf

9. Topical/Historical Looks at the relationship between literature and its historical period. New Historicism justifies the parallel reading of both literary and non-literary works because history is a social constuct

10. Archetypal, Symbolic, Mythic Believes the “best” literature is grounded in patterns that reveal truths. Looks for archetypes that occur across historical, national, and cultural lines ie., the hero’s quest, caves, etc…

11. Others: Reader’s Response-You decide, even if you are totally wrong Cultural Studies- Let’s throw everything in the mix