Literary Theory

Series 1; Handout #4

 

Modern Language Association, PMLA.

 

The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism

 

 

What is Dudley Cravat so upset about in Postmodern Pooh?

 

 

Liberal Humanism (see Barry, 3-4; 17-21; the list is worth memorizing if you don’t already know it in your bones; watch for these values in Arnold, Eliot, Ransom)

 

·        Literature is timeless. (“The immortal bard”), maybe even inspired by God, the muses, or the Holy Spirit.

·        Human Nature exists and is timeless, created in the image of God.

·        History and Biography are not needed to understand great literature (but they are, of course, interesting). 

·        Literature should be studied by itself, through “Close Reading.”

·        We should not approach literature with ideological or political assumptions but, rather, with objectivity, an open mind. 

·        Every Individual possesses a unique character or soul, free will, and we are immortal as individuals.

·        The Purpose of Literature is to preserve and spread humane values not a political program.  Literature is a moral enterprise, as is teaching.

·        Literature is not, however, didactic or pedantic.  It is not prosaic in its morality.

·        It uses artful forms to communicate contents in more profound ways that are, ultimately, more true than direct statement.

·        Writers should be sincere; they should believe what they write.  They should understand their own intentions and make it possible for a careful reader to interpret their meaning.

·        The critic is a careful, experienced reader, an amateur, not a professional or a scientist of words.  Critics should be people of deep human sympathy and wisdom gleaned from wide reading and experience. 

 

 

How many do you believe out of 11?  What are some problems, contradictions, limitations in the above?

 

 

Institutional History of Literary Studies

 

 

 

 

The Genteel tradition

 

 

 

 

Practical Criticism, AKA the “New Criticism” (c. 1930-1960s, plus long institutional lag)

 

 

 

 

 

Close Reading (Isolating the Work).

 

 

 

 

 

Big Ideas in the “Theory” Movement (begins in 1960s, peaks in 1980s; see Barry 34-36)

 

 

            Politics is Pervasive

            Language is Constitutive

            Truth is Provisional

            Meaning is Contingent

            Human Nature is a Myth

 

 

 

Anticipating some problems with “Theory” (e.g., Politicization, Relativism, Nihilism, Atheism, Passivity, Denies Nature, Encourages Despair—no nourishment for the spirit)