An Introduction, as adapted from the Bedford Reader

Critical Approaches to Literature

FORMALIST CRITICISM

Formalist Criticism

Formalist Criticism in SOAH

Formalist Criticism in SOAHA formalist critic might also:

Look back over the story for signs of the ending in the imagery

This could involve an examination of how Josephine attempts to tell Mrs. Mallard the news, and Josephine’s misinterpretation of Mrs. Mallard’s reaction

So far…Our analysis of “A&P” resembled mostly a

formalist criticismWe examined chiefly the significance of the

elements of the story itself and mostly viewed the text as autonomous

(Note that I did have you read lots of background on the authors of these works)

Gender Criticism

GENDER/FEMINIST CRITICISMGender critics explore how ideas about

men and women—what is masculine and feminine– are determined by cultural institutions and conditioning.

This type of criticism tends to regard sexuality as more complex than merely masculine or feminine, heterosexual or homosexual

FEMINIST CRITICISMSpecifically, feminist critics seek to correct

or supplement what they regard as a predominantly male critical prespective with a feminist consciousness.

The way men and women write about each other is an interest in whether women use language differently from the way men do.

Feminist critics bring sociological and sociopolitical knowledge into their study

FEMINIST CRITICISM OF SOAHA feminist approach to SOAH might explore

the psychological stress created by the expectations that marriage imposes on Mrs. Mallard, expectations that literally and figuratively break her heart

Brently is kind and loving; therefore her issue is not being married to him, but being married at all

The “right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature” is seen, from the feminist perspective, as primarily imposed on women by men

FEMINIST CRITICISM OF SOAHEven the way that she is introduced in the

story suggests her definition through her husband

Finally, the doctors are only able to diagnose her case in male terms:She has a “weak heart”

READER-RESPONSE CRITICISM

READER-RESPONSEReader-response, as you might guess, focuses

more on the reader than the work itself.The aim is to describe how the reader

experiences the text and how his/her expectations of the story are met or not met.

The work evolves as the reader processes all of the story’s elements

This type of criticism does not justify bizarre or mistaken readings, but seeks to understand how the text and reader together create meaning in the work

Back to our Catalyst…Reader response criticism allows room for

us to understand whether our interpretation of the text is influenced only by the details Chopin includes in the story

OR…By our own personal bias and views that

influence our reading

READER-RESPONSE IN SOAHChopin never comes out and says that Mrs.

Mallard’s marriage is repressiveInstead, readers come to this conclusion at the

same time that this awareness develops in Mrs. Mallard

However, this surprise can impact readers differently:Someone who has recently lost a spouse might find

her thoughts selfish and “monstrous”Someone might also see the death as her only

escapeA more modern reader might see the need for the

death of the marriage, not the death of a spouse

HISTORICAL CRITICISMUsing social, political, cultural and relevant

“current” events in the author’s time to determine text meaningFOREWORD TO FRANKENSTEIN:Advances in science in Shelley’s time, etc.

Author’s personal life and relationshipsMary Wollstonecraft (Feminist)Personal hardships within her familyMarriage (and her husband’s early death)

PSYCHOLOGICAL CRITICISMOedipus complex (son develops unconscious

affection for his mother; therefore is fated to destroy his father)Electra complex (same concept for daughters)ONLY ONE ASEPCT of this type of criticism

Character motivations and mindsetsHow these are expressed in character actions and

behaviorsTaking a real psychological diagnosis, disorder,

mental state, etc and see if it upholds for a character AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

MORAL/PHILOSOPHICAL CRITICISM:

This approach essentially focuses on the idea that literature is meant to teach readers morals and values.

These critics examine the thematic elements of a text chiefly for the ‘lessons’ they encapsulate.

Characters face dilemmas in order for readers to come to a new understanding through their conflicts.