Module 2 Notes
A. Literary Theory Chapter 1
a. What elements appear in literature that make it different from regular
historical accounts or sociological studies?
i.
The form and techniques used in literature differentiate it from
historical accounts and sociologic studies
ii.
Formalists: people that believe literature is unique because of
how it is done, not its content
iii.
Essentially, formalists believe that literature worth studying is
unique in how it is executed, not its themes or topics.
1. This could be the visual form of poems, or intentional
narrative perspective changes (first person to third for
different chapters/scenes).
b. What universal ideas can you think of that literature addresses?
i.
How you say/do something is sometimes more important than
what you say or do
ii.
Unique, interesting, and well-done execution is more memorable
than just delivering statements or information.
B. Module 2 Lecture Notes
a. "Old Criticism": emphasized things outside of the actual text, like the
author's life.
i.
This required a lot of background knowledge that had nothing to
do with the literature in order to analyze and discuss it.
b. "New Criticism": Directs attention to the work itself and breaks it down
mechanically.
i.
Intentional Fallacy: trying to figure out what an author was
trying to say when making literature is a mistake and pointless.
ii.
Literature is complete on its own and doesn't need outside
information for it to understand it.
iii.
"What often makes literature literary is its use of unusual formal
elements"
c. Defamiliarization: using out-of-place and unique writing to grab
attention
i.
New critic formalists look at why something was said a certain
way and what it means in the confined context of the literature.
d. What earlier approaches to literature did New Criticism and Formalism
oppose?
i.
They opposed the need to know biographical and social
influences to understand literature.
e. What are some key aspects present in literary works that New Criticism
and Formalism look for?
i.
Paradoxical phrases that draw attention
1. Anything that is uniquely written in order to draw attention
ii.
Why things are the way they are in a text rather than what is
being said.
iii.
The elements that various works of literature have in common
that make them stand out from other works
C. Theme for English B
a. Do you think Langston Hughes and the speaker in the poem are the
same person?
i.
I don't know, it's easy to say either way.
b. Does knowing Hughes’ background matter for your understanding of
the poem?
i.
No, the meaning of the poem is easily understood without any
background information
c. What are some elements of literariness in the poem?
i.
It uses a lot of dashes
ii.
There are several parts that use alliteration
iii.
It doesn't use proper grammar
iv.
It feels conversationally written
v.
Some parts rhyme while others don't
D. Formalism Introduction
a. Formalism: examining and breaking down literature by its mechanics
and style rather than outside context or influence.
i.
Helps explain how writers are able to leave certain effects on the
readers
b. According to the reading, what role do “tricks” and “illusions” play in
literature?
i.
Tricks and illusions are ways to draw reader attention and leave
a lasting impression on them.
c. As you read about the buzzwords of Formalism, think about the
differences you find between ordinary speech and literary language;
how would you characterize the differences?
i.
Ordinary speech doesn't require specific terms to describe
something.
ii.
Literary language uses specifically defined words to give "things"
in literature names.
1. This creates a more understandable and comprehensive
way to talk about literature.
d. Can you, as a reader, avoid thinking about the world beyond the
content of the text you are reading?
i.
Yes, especially given that some literature creates its own world
with its own contexts.
ii.
I personally don't often dig into the lives or interviews of most
content I enjoy.
E. New Criticism Introduction
a. New Criticism is all about text, which works well with Formalism…
which is also all about text.
b. Close Reading: style of analysis emphasizes super close attention to
the text itself
c. New Critics study works for what they are
i.
For example, they examine a poem in the context of other
poems, not the outside context from the writer's life.
d. In what way does New Criticism simplify literary analysis?
i.
It removes the need for detailed knowledge of historical context
to appreciate and break down literature.
e. Do you enjoy close reading? Do you find it difficult?
i.
Close reading can be annoying because beyond acknowledging
the techniques used in writing, whether it is good or bad still
comes down to opinion.
1. Something can be technically and mechanically complex
and amazing while still being boring.
F. Scyl Notes
a. Commonality of Formalism and New Criticism
i.
Both focus on formal aspects (mechanics and techniques) of the
writing to analyze it without outside context.
b. Formalism
i.
Completely theoretical and looked at defamiliarization a lot to
break down a work
1. "The author wrote this differently to draw attention and
give meaning".
ii.
Focus on structure (the literal structure) of the text
c. New Criticism
i.
Uses more "scientific" views to analyze literature
ii.
Autotelic: text is complete within itself
iii.
Focus on content of the text
Copied from Basic Concept website
The formal properties of a literary work include:
● Words (meaning of the words)
● Shape/structure of the text
● Harmony of the words
● The rhythm of the sentences
● Rhyming of the words
● Meaning of the text as a whole
The formal properties of a literary work do NOT include:
● Time of the work
● Background of the work
● Representation of the work
● The symbolism of the words
● Author’s moral, religious, or political values
● Author’s personal life
What is a Text?
According to Formalism,
● A text is a literary work which is a finished product and nothing can change its
meaning and form.
● The form and contents of the text cannot be separated. It creates meaning as a
whole.
● A literary text has a fixed meaning.
● The greatest literary texts are ‘constant’, ‘coherent’, ‘timeless’, and ‘universal’.
A Checklist for Formalist Criticism:
A formalist critic analyzes:
● How the work is structured or organized (formed)
● How it begins
● How it is advancing/transiting to the next lines
● How it ends
● How the plot is built
● How the plot relates to its structure
● How each part of the work relates to the work as a whole
● How all the parts relate to one another
● How the narrator/speaker narrates the story
● Point of view of the narrator
● The major and the minor characters
● How the characters are related to one another
● Actions of the characters
● The language of the literary work
● Style of the writing
● Literary devices such as imageries, similes, metaphors, ironies, paradox, etc.
● How the literary devices function to create meaning