TRADITIONAL

LITERARY CRITICISM
Members:
Marabe, Jeric
Palacielo, Nora
Nomar, Ermha Joy
De Guzman, Bullet Reigh Artshen
Ofiana, Diane
Banogon, Nest Lene
 Objectives:
01 02 03
Define Traditional Differentiate Identify the concepts
Literary Criticism Traditional Criticism and principles of
from Formalism Traditional Criticism

04 05 06
Understand the Identify the Analyze a
questions that should be proponents of literary piece
answered while using traditional criticism
Traditional Criticism
 WHAT
IS
TRADITIONAL
CRITICISM?
 DID YOU KNOW?
 Traditional criticism is above all criticism.

 It was used throughout the world in different

countries and cultures.
Ex. Asia, ancient Greece…

 Traditional criticism has been around as far as

ancient times. It was mostly used in describing art,
and poetry such as Shakespeare, but evolved to the
various literary criticisms we see today.
 Traditional Criticism
 is where you analyze how the author’s life is shown
in the work. The author may choose to include
events, people, or places to serve as influences in
their literary work. The author may also choose to
include their characteristics, thoughts, and emotions.
 What is the
distinction between
Traditional Criticism
and
Formalism?
What is Traditional Criticism?

 Traditional criticism evaluates an author’s

biographical information: their culture,
background, and history. Critics who look
through a traditional critical lens believe that
by understanding an author’s biography and
the period in which the work was written,
they can truly evaluate a work.
What is Traditional Criticism?

 In traditional criticism, you examine how the

author’s life, and his other biographical
information, are reflected in the work. You
research all facts of his or her background
and find traces of his or her experiences
shown in the text, question how the work
shows pieces of the author’s past, his/her
interests, biases, etc.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT
FROM FORMALISM?
 TRADITIONAL
 Approaches
1. Historical-biographical
-critics see works as the
reflection of an author’s life and
times. It believes that it is
necessary to know about the
author and the political,
economic, and sociological,
context of his times in order to
understand his/her works.
 Ex. Works of Maya Angelou
FORMALISM (RUSSIAN
FORMALISM)
-an interpretive approach that
emphasizes literary form and the
study of literary devices within
the text. Neither author nor
context was essential for the
Formalists, because it was the
narrative that spoke.
2. Moral-philosophical
-the basic position of such
critics is that the larger function
of literature is to teach morality
and to probe philosophical
issues. Moral-philosophical
critics evaluate literary works
based on the moral statements
and judgments the characters
and author express throughout
the literary text.
Using formalism, a critic can show
how the various parts of a work are
welded together to make an organic
whole. This approach examines a
text as a self-contained object; it
does not, therefore, concern itself
with biographical information about
the author, historical events outside
of the story, or literary allusions,
mythological patterns, or
psychoanalytical traits of the
characters (except those aspects
described specifically in the text.)
Assumption: Dulce Et Utile (to
delight and instruct)
Literature should be delightful
and instructive.
A formalist critic examines the form
of the work as a whole, the form of
each individual part of the text (the
individual scenes and chapters), the
characters, the settings, the tone,
the point of view, the diction, and
all other elements of
the text which join to make it a
single text. After analyzing each
part, the critic then describes how
they work together to make give
meaning (theme) to the text.
Assumption: Dulce Et Utile (to
delight and instruct)
Literature should be delightful
and instructive.
Formalism just like the name
suggests, focuses on what is within
the text rather than what the author
intended to be.
Formalism compels readers to judge
the artistic merit of literature by
examining its formal elements like
language and technical skills.
-Many historical critics believed -Formalism is a type of literary
that a writer’s biography and theory and criticism that focuses on
background could be a major the stylistic purity of a work of
reference point for their work. literature rather than its social
contexts and authorial intent.
-Believe that the author’s
geographical background could -According to Formalism, it is
determine their styles, themes, possible to interpret a text without
and use of language. having any information on its author
or its social or historical background.
 CONCEPTS AND
PRINCIPLES OF
TRADITIONAL CRITICISM
Authorial Intent
Considering the author's intentions, background, and
historical context to interpret the text's meaning.

Historical Context
 Understanding the socio-cultural, political, and historical
background in which the text was written to interpret its
significance.
Canon and Tradition
 Considering a work's place within the literary canon
and its relationship to earlier literary traditions and
movements.

Biographical Criticism
 Exploring the life, experiences, and beliefs of the author
to shed light on the text's meaning and significance.
QUESTIONS THAT MUST
BE ANSWERED WHEN
USING TRADITIONAL
CRITICISM
1. What aspects of the author’s personal life are
relevant to this story?
2. Which of the author’s stated beliefs are reflected in
the work?
3. Does the writer challenge or support the values of
his/her contemporaries?
4. What seems to be the author’s major concerns? Do they
reflect any of the writer’s personal experiences?
5. Do any of the events in the story correspond to events
experienced by the author?
6. Do any of the characters in the story correspond to real
people?
 PROPONENTS
OF
TRADITIONAL CRITICISM
 Hippolyte Adolphe Taine
 A French critic and historian in the 19th
century who particularly worked in revolution
and other historical accounts.
 3 important elements in the Historical-
biographical approach namely: Race, Milieu,
and Moment (the three principal motives or
conditioning factors behind any work of art).
 He is the proponent of a Historical-
biographical approach.
 Plato
 In "Republic," he envisioned an ideal
society shaped by literature that
promotes virtue and discourages vice.
 He determines the value of the work in
relation to life. Aristotle
 He believed literature should cultivate
ethical behavior by depicting positive role
models and consequences for wrongdoing.
 He also determines the value of the work
according to its logical and formal quality.
 They are both proponents of the Moral-philosophical approach.
LET’S ANALYZE A
LITERARY PIECE!
ON HIS BLINDNESS
BY: JOHN MILTON
 He was born on December 9, 1608, in Bread
Street, London, England.
He is best known for his poems "Paradise Lost“
and “On His Blindness”.

He attended St. Paul's School in London and later, Christ's College
at the University of Cambridge.
His cultural background was rooted in Puritanism.
He came from a prominent and wealthy London family.
His father, John Milton Sr., and his mother, Sarah Jeffrey Milton.
He was the eldest of nine children,
His early education was characterized by classical literature,
languages, and theology.
"Areopagitica" argued for freedom of the press
and religious tolerance.
 His literary works dealt with themes of freedom,
morality, and the power of the individual.
In 1652, He married Cecily Calvert, later known
as Lady Deborah.
In 1658, Milton began to experience vision
problems and in 1659, he was almost entirely
blind.
He passed away on November 8, 1674.
 What aspects of the author’s personal life are
relevant to this story?
 When Milton composed the poem, he was already experiencing a
significant loss of his eyesight. This personal struggle with blindness
influenced the poem's themes and content. Milton's faith and his
belief in God's plan played a crucial role in his ability to cope with
his disability. The poem reflects his acceptance of God's will and his
determination to continue his work as a poet despite his blindness.
Moreover, the most relevant aspect of Milton's personal life in
relation to the poem "On His Blindness" is his own experience with
losing his eyesight and how it affected his perspective on life, faith,
and his purpose as a poet.
 Which of the author’s stated beliefs are
reflected in the work?
 First, Milton’s giving importance to faith and spirituality, he believed
that faith and spirituality were essential for leading a meaningful life.
In his piece, he expresses his trust in God’s plan, even though he has
been struck blind, which shows his strong faith. Second, him believing
a free will and individual responsibility, he was a firm believer in free
will and individual responsibility. In his poem, he accepts his
blindness as a part of God’s plan and does not blame anyone or
anything for his condition. He acknowledges his responsibility to
continue his work despite his disability.
 Which of the author’s stated beliefs are
reflected in the work?
 Third is valuing of human experience, he believed that human
experiences, even the most challenging ones, were valuable in
shaping a person's character and understanding of the world. In his
poem, he reflects on his blindness as an experience that will help him
grow and gain deeper insights. Lastly, the power of poetry and
language, he believed that poetry and language were powerful tools
for expressing thoughts, emotions, and ideas, and in his piece, he
demonstrates his commitment to his craft, even though he can no
longer see. He asserts that he will continue to write and that his
blindness will not hinder his ability to create.
 Does the writer challenge or support the values
of his/her contemporaries?
 Milton’s poem does not explicitly challenge or support the values of
his contemporaries. Instead, he reflects on his own struggle with
blindness and seeks support and guidance in his faith and work as a
poet. The poem was written during the mid-17th century, when
Milton's contemporaries, particularly in England, struggled with
various religious, political, and social issues. Some of these values
included Puritanism, the belief in predestination, and the importance
of hard work. Milton’s poem does not directly engage with these
values but rather focuses on his own experience of losing his sight.
 Does the writer challenge or support the values
of his/her contemporaries?
 He acknowledges the difficulties he faces but ultimately finds comfort
in his belief that he is still able to serve God through his writing.
 For example, in this line, (“They also serve who only stand and wait”),
the poem does not explicitly support or challenge the values of his
contemporaries, it does reflect the general Puritan work ethic and the
importance of faith during that time. The poem can be seen as a
testament to Milton's resilience and his ability to find meaning in his
life despite his physical limitations.
What seem to be the author’s major concerns? Do
they reflect any of the writer’s personal experiences?
 In Milton's poem "On His Blindness," his major concerns appear to be
his loss of sight and its impact on his ability to fulfill his purpose as a
poet. He fought with the question of why God had taken away his
sight, given his dedication to serving God through his writing. Thus, it
somehow reflects on his piece the idea of finding meaning and
purpose in the face of adversity. Furthermore, it is widely believed
that the poem reflects some of Milton's personal experiences, as he
became blind in his later years. His loss of sight would have
significantly impacted his ability to continue writing, which was his
primary means of serving God.
 Do any of the events in the story correspond to
events experienced by the author?
 Milton’s poem is a sonnet, and it primarily discusses his acceptance
of his impending blindness. In the poem, he personifies his blindness
as a "vain complaint" and a "wretchedness" that he must bear. He
also refers to his work as a "task" and "duty" that he must fulfill
despite his blindness. These events are not literal occurrences but
rather symbolize his emotional and mental experiences as he
confronts his impending blindness. Perhaps, the events in this poem
are not direct experiences but rather metaphorical representations
of Milton’s emotions and thoughts about his impending blindness.
Do any of the characters in the story correspond
to real people?
 This piece of Milton is primarily considered a personal reflection of
his feelings and thoughts about his own impending blindness. While
the poem does not directly correspond to specific real people, it is
believed to be inspired by Milton's personal experiences and
emotions. Its themes and imagery are deeply rooted in Milton's life,
particularly his struggle with his declining eyesight and his faith in
God's purpose for his suffering.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR
CLARIFICATIONS?

THANK YOU FOR

LISTENING!
 References:
 Encyclopædia Britannica (n.d.). Literary Criticism.
https://www.britannica.com/art/literary-criticism
 Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (n.d.). Literary Theory.
https://iep.utm.edu/literary/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CFormalism%E2%80%9D%
20is%2C%20as%20the,and%20other%20theories%20of%20narrative
 Paras, P. (2021, September 1). : Traditional approaches (historical-biographical
& moral-philosophical) [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKmrsxyhWmY&feature=youtu.be
 Baldwin, E. (2023, October 6). Sonnet 19 – (On his Blindness) When I Consider How
My Light is Spent by John Milton. Poem Analysis. https://poemanalysis.com/john-
milton/when-i-consider-how-my-light-is-spent/