LITERARY CRITICAL APPROACHES

Literary critical approaches, also known as literary theories or literary criticism,

are various methodologies and frameworks that scholars, critics, and readers use to
analyze, interpret, and understand works of literature. These approaches provide
different lenses through which literary works can be examined, shedding light on various
aspects of the text, such as its themes, characters, structure, and cultural context. Each
approach emphasizes different aspects of a text, enabling a more comprehensive
understanding and appreciation of literature.
Literary critical approaches are important for several reasons:
1. Enhancing Understanding: These approaches help readers and scholars delve
deeper into a text, revealing layers of meaning, symbolism, and cultural context
that may not be immediately apparent.
2. Interpreting Diverse Perspectives: They provide a range of lenses through which
to view literature, allowing for the interpretation of texts from various cultural,
historical, and thematic perspectives.
3. Uncovering Hidden Meanings: Critical approaches can reveal hidden or subtextual
elements within a text, shedding light on issues and themes that may not be
overtly expressed.
4. Challenging Assumptions: They encourage readers to question their assumptions
and preconceptions, fostering critical thinking and a more nuanced understanding
of literature.
5. Appreciating Literary Diversity: By using different critical approaches, readers
can appreciate the richness and diversity of the literary canon, including works
from different time periods and cultures.

Nine Common Critical Approaches to Literature:

1. Formalism
Formalism, often associated with New Criticism, focuses on the internal
elements of a literary work. It looks at the structure, style, symbols, and language
used within the text to decipher its meaning. Formalists believe that the meaning
of a work is self-contained within the text and can be understood by examining its
literary components.
In William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," a formalist analysis would
explore how the non-linear narrative structure and Faulkner's use of symbolism,
like the decaying house, contribute to the story's themes of decay and isolation.
Guide Questions:
• What is the structure of the text, and how does it contribute to the
narrative?
• What literary devices (e.g., symbolism, imagery, metaphor) are used in
the text, and how do they convey meaning?

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 • How does the writing style and language impact the reader's
understanding of the story?

2. Historical Criticism
Historical criticism emphasizes the importance of the historical context in
which a piece of literature was created. It seeks to understand how the time and
place in which a work was written influenced the content and themes of the text.
This approach helps to illuminate the social, political, and cultural factors at play
in the narrative.
In Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities," historical criticism would
consider how the novel reflects the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution
and the social inequalities of the time.
Guide Questions:
• In what historical period is the text set or written, and how does this time
period influence the story?
• How do the social, cultural, and political aspects of the historical context
shape the characters, plot, and themes?
• What historical events or movements might the author be responding to
or critiquing in the text?

3. Reader-Response Criticism
Reader-response criticism shifts the focus from the text to the reader's
interpretation. It asserts that the meaning of a text is not fixed; rather, it is created
by the reader's interaction with the text. This approach values the reader's
personal experiences, emotions, and perspectives in shaping the understanding of
a work.
Reading J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" through a reader-response
lens would involve exploring how individual readers connect with the novel and
how their life experiences affect their interpretation of the main character, Holden
Caulfield.
Guide Questions:
• How do different readers' backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs shape
their interpretation of the text?
• What personal connections or emotional responses does the text evoke in
readers, and how do these impact their understanding of the story?
• Can you identify different interpretations of the text based on the reader's
perspective?
4. Feminist Criticism
Feminist criticism centers on the examination of gender roles,
representation of women, and power dynamics within literature. It looks at how

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 the text portrays and comments on the role of women in society, addressing issues
like sexism, gender bias, and the historical and cultural context of the work.
In Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," feminist criticism
would analyze the story's depiction of a woman's descent into madness and how
it reflects the patriarchal medical practices of the time.
Guide Questions:
• How are female characters portrayed in the text, and what roles do they
play in the story?
• What power dynamics and gender stereotypes are present in the text, and
how do they influence the characters and plot?
• Does the text challenge or reinforce traditional gender norms, and if so,
how?

5. Psychoanalytic Criticism
Psychoanalytic criticism, rooted in Freudian psychology, explores the
subconscious motivations, desires, and conflicts of characters and authors. It seeks to
uncover the hidden psychological elements within a text and how these elements
drive character behavior and plot.
In William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," psychoanalytic analysis might delve
into the primal instincts and psychological tensions that lead to the boys' descent into
savagery.
Guide Questions:
• What unconscious desires, motivations, or conflicts can be attributed to the
characters or the author?
• How do the characters' psychological states affect their actions and interactions
within the story?
• Are there symbols or metaphors in the text that might represent deeper
psychological elements?

6. Marxist Criticism
Marxist criticism examines the portrayal of socio-economic and class
structures within literature. It seeks to understand how literature reflects and
critiques issues of power, wealth, and social inequality. This approach often analyzes
how characters and their actions symbolize class struggles.
John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" can be seen as a Marxist critique of the
exploitation of the working class during the Great Depression, highlighting the
struggles of the Joad family as they face economic hardships.

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Guide Questions:
• What are the socio-economic classes depicted in the text, and how do they relate
to the characters and their interactions?
• How does the text address issues of power, wealth, and social inequality, and
what message does it convey about these topics?
• Are there characters or events that symbolize class struggle or economic
disparities?

7. Postcolonial Criticism
Postcolonial criticism explores works that engage with the legacy of
colonialism and the impact of imperialism on formerly colonized regions and peoples.
It considers issues of identity, cultural hybridity, and the representation of the "Other"
in literature.
In Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," postcolonial criticism would focus on
how the novel critiques the effects of British colonialism on Igbo society and culture.
Guide Questions:
• How does the text portray the effects of colonialism or imperialism on the
characters, culture, and society within the story?
• Are there themes of identity, hybridity, or cultural clash present in the text, and
how are they depicted?
• Does the text challenge or reinforce stereotypes and representations of the
"Other"?

8. Structuralism and Post-Structuralism

Structuralism analyzes the underlying structures and systems that shape
literary texts, seeking patterns and recurring elements. Post-structuralism, on the
other hand, questions these structures, revealing their contradictions and
ambiguities.
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," a structuralist analysis might
identify recurring motifs and patterns in the narrator's descriptions, while a post-
structuralist perspective might question the narrator's reliability and the text's
inconsistencies.
Guide Questions:
• What recurring patterns, symbols, or structures can be identified in the text, and
how do they contribute to the narrative?
• Are there inconsistencies, contradictions, or ambiguities in the text that post-
structuralist analysis can reveal?
• How do the underlying structures and systems shape the text's meaning, and
how do they challenge or subvert traditional literary conventions?

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 9. Queer Theory
Queer theory explores how literature represents non-normative sexual and
gender identities. It challenges traditional categories of sexuality and gender, seeking
to uncover and celebrate hidden or marginalized voices in literature.
Jeanette Winterson's "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" is a notable work for
queer theory analysis as it tells the story of a lesbian girl growing up in a highly
religious community, addressing themes of sexuality, identity, and societal norms.
Guide Questions:
• How does the text represent non-normative sexual and gender identities, and
what does this representation convey about identity and societal norms?
• Are there hidden or marginalized voices within the text that can be uncovered
through a queer theory analysis?
• Does the text challenge or reinforce traditional categories of sexuality and
gender, and if so, how?