- Introduction
What is literature
What is literary criticism
What is literary theory
According to Raymond Williams: Any written or printed matter on any subject.
Around 19th century the term started denoting poetry
Matthew Arnold gave it its final meaning: all imaginative writing, poetry, fiction and drama.
Meaning
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In 1700's printing press grew which lead to a rise in the popularity of literature.
agriculture->industrialisation->leisure->literature->culture
Understanding and interpreting literary experience
Came in the form of defence of poetry in the 16th century.
Theory
Organisation of experience so that it is comprehensible.
Theory is created to avert chaos and ensure organisation be it political or religious theory.
A set of broad assumptions about literature and the function of criticism
Applied theory
Economic conditions in a society influence literature.-This is literary theory. However, when literature is analysed keeping in mind this theory it is called literary criticism.
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Background to the contemporary situation in theory
Until 19th Century
Education in England was monopoly of Church
Confined to Oxford and Cambridge
Teachers: Unmarried men and confined with students to colleges
Ancient Greek, Latin, Divinity and Mathematics-Studied
Mid 19th century college opened in London for men and women of all religions
English language was a new subject introduced
English English literature also introduced
Purpose: Religion had lost its appeal and study of literature was to replace religion and promote liberal humanism
Theory before theory
Theory which ruled literary criticism without intending to do so is liberal humanism
Basic tenets of liberal humanism by Peter Barry
Good literature is timeless
Literature is complete in itself and need not seek meaning outside of the text.
To understand a text well it should be separated from context
Human nature is unchanging
Individuality
Purpose of literature: Propogation of humane values
Content and form must be fused in literature
Silent showing rather than explanation is valued in literature
Job of criticism: Interpret text and mediate between text and reader.
Growth in theory
Because of radical disagreement between interpretation almost every social and cultural phenomenon
How to differentiate between theories
Communication chain
Tripartite structure
Addressee(Author)[Context]------>Code (Text)------>Addresse(Reader)[Reader's context]
Any theory focusses on either one of these