As we begin the year, we will begin our study of literary criticism with an introduction to Critical Theory, which readers use to discuss literature in the academic setting. Just like looking through a colored lens changes your view of the world, applying a critical lens changes the way you see a work of literature. We will begin the course by discussing six major critical lenses, which we will use throughout the course:
- Reader Response: How the reader's life relates to a work of literature. According to Reader Response Theory, it is impossible to view a work of literature without using a Reader Response lens.
- Archetypal: How a work of literature connects to other literature, mythology, legend, or popular culture.
- Gender/Feminist: How characters of different genders relate to each other and are treated within the work of literature.
- Class/Marxist: How characters of different social status relate to each other and are treated within a work of literature.
- Postcolonial: How historical patterns of oppression are represented in a work of literature.
- Psychoanalytical: How the author's internal life relates to the work of literature.
- New Historical: How a text reflects historical ideas and trends.