Marxist criticism examines literature in terms of its ideological content, focusing on issues such as power, class, race, and culture. It analyzes characters’ social hierarchy, work, leisure, and government’s role. Literature is seen as a social institution with an identifiable ideological function, and the writer’s background and ideology are considered the foundation of their work. […]
Genre criticism analyzes literary works based on their genre conventions, rather than treating them as independent pieces. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is an example of a tragedy, while John Milton’s Paradise Lost could be classified as an epic poem, satire, or comedy. Genre criticism also considers whether new genres are emerging, such as internet blogs. […]
Feminist literary criticism examines how women have been portrayed as inferior to men in literature throughout history, and how this has contributed to their oppression. It is divided into three periods, with the first era covering literature from the 1700s to the early 1900s, when women began examining female characters in literature from a male […]
Constructive criticism is a positive communication technique that identifies problems and promotes self-improvement. It can be used by anyone, but professionals may provide more in-depth analysis. The delivery should be factual, balanced with positive points, and use “I” language. Therapists need to remain neutral. Timing is also important, and the recipient’s emotional state should be […]
Accepting constructive criticism is crucial for personal growth. Removing emotions, recognizing the critic’s intention to help, and asking for clarification can make it easier to accept criticism. It can positively impact relationships and improve the quality of life. The ability to accept constructive criticism comes very easily to some people, while others find it difficult […]
Ideological criticism targets ideograms, such as words or images, to understand their cultural meaning within a work. Ideological critique identifies and considers how these ideograms have changed over time and their use in political discourse. The meaning of ideograms can differ between cultures and contexts. Ideological criticism is a form of criticism that usually targets […]
Archetypal criticism examines the presence of simple, recognizable character models in literature, based on the works of Carl Jung. Northrop Frye built on these ideas, dividing archetypes into comedic and tragic categories. Christopher Booker narrowed stories down to seven basic plot archetypes. Archetypal criticism is a type of literary criticism that examines the presence of […]
Constructive criticism is feedback given to help improve performance or point out strengths. Employers, parents, teachers, coaches, and friends can provide it. It can be formal or informal and should involve the person receiving it in developing goals and strategies for improvement. Constructive criticism is a type of feedback people can give to others when […]
Historical criticism analyzes a text in its historical context, using comparable texts to understand how it interacted with its environment. It is contrasted with inferior criticism, which focuses on the meaning of the text. The Bible is often analyzed using historical criticism, generating controversy in some societies. Other religious texts and forms of writing can […]
New criticism focuses on close analysis of the text, rather than historical and biographical context. Advantages include coherent conclusions and focus on the literature itself, while disadvantages include missing vital details and ignoring the author’s life and subjective interpretation. New criticism is a type of literary criticism that focuses primarily on an extremely careful and […]
Reader response critique focuses on how the reader receives a literary work, making it more like performance art. The reader’s experience and interpretation are valued over the author’s intent or context. Different approaches include individual, psychological, and social reader response. Critics argue that it can devalue the content of the text and ignore cultural context. […]
Rhetorical criticism is the analysis of language’s impact on an audience. It is applied to writing and examines the intent and context of a piece of communication. Academics use it to understand how symbols influence audiences. Specific categories of rhetorical criticism exist, and the products of this analysis can take many forms. Rhetorical criticism is […]
Narrative criticism analyzes literary works, including biblical stories, for characters, settings, and themes. It emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to historical criticism’s limitations. Narrative critics examine major characters and symbolic implications to determine thematic meaning. The movement drew on secular literary criticism, particularly New Criticism, which emphasized close reading of texts. While […]
