AP P R O A C H ES
TO
LITERARY
C R I TI CI S M
LITERARY CRITICISM
● the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of
literature
● involves examining a text's themes, structure,
language, and historical or cultural context to
understand its deeper meaning, artistic merit,
and impact on readers
● helps us explore a work from multiple
perspectives and uncover layers of meaning
that may not be immediately obvious
Literary criticism has two main
functions:
● to analyze, study, and evaluate
works of literature
● to form general principles for the
examination of works of literature
• When you read a text, do you usually focus on the details like
word choice, imagery, and the way sentences are structured?
Why or why not?
• Have you ever read something where the way it was written (its
style or form) changed how you felt about the content? Can you
share an example?
1. FORMALIST CRITICISM
• Focuses on the text itself—its language,
structure, and literary devices—without
considering outside factors like the
author’s life or historical context.
1. FORMALIST CRITICISM
• Focuses on symbols, metaphor, imagery,
characterization, and so on.
• Ignores the author’s biography and
focuses only on the interaction of literary
elements within the text
• Considers the elements of plot, narrator,
structure, etc.
• Attempts to discover meaning by a close
reading of a work of literature.
• What do you understand by the term "patriarchal society"? Can
you identify any examples of how it operates in everyday life?
• Do you believe that certain roles or jobs are still seen as more
appropriate for men or women? Where do these beliefs come
from, and how might they be challenged?
• What are some examples of societal expectations placed on
women that you’ve noticed in books or media?
• When reading a story, do you ever consider the gender of the
author? How do you think an author's gender might influence the
way they write about characters of the opposite sex?"
2. FEMINIST CRITICISM
• This type focuses on gender, asking how
women are portrayed in the story.
• Are they strong and independent or
controlled by others?
• Feminist critics explore how a story might
reflect ideas about gender roles or
challenge them.
2. FEMINIST CRITICISM
• Gender criticism analyzes literature
through the lens of socially constructed
gender roles.
• Critiques and seeks to correct women’s
subordination to men in society about
equality.
• Why do you think understanding the time period in which a
literary work was written can change our interpretation of the
text?
• How might a writer's personal experiences and the historical
events of their time influence the themes and messages in their
work?
• Can you think of a story or book that you understand better after
learning about the history or culture behind it? How did that
knowledge change your perspective?
• What do you think is the value of studying the historical context
of a literary work? How might it help us connect with the text on a
deeper level?
3. HISTORICAL CRITICISM
• This looks at when and where the work
was written.
• It asks how the time period, culture, and
events influenced the story.
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4. ARCHETYPAL CRITICISM
• A literary approach that analyzes and
interprets texts through the lens of
archetypes—universal symbols, themes,
and character types that recur across
various cultures and time periods.
4. ARCHETYPAL CRITICISM
• Archetypes are fundamental, recurring
elements found in myths, stories, and
literature that embody universal human
experiences.
• They can take many forms, including
character types, narrative patterns, and
symbolic motifs.
The Hero - The main character who embarks
on a journey, faces trials, and often grows or
changes as a result.
The Villain- The main character who embarks
on a journey, faces trials, and often grows or
changes as a result.
The Mentor: The character serves as a wise guide
who offers advice, support, or training to the
protagonist.
The Trickster: A clever, mischievous, and
unpredictable character who uses wit and
cunning to outsmart others or to challenge the
status quo.
The Damsel in Distress: A female character who is
often portrayed as vulnerable and in need of
rescue, typically by a male hero.
The Outcast: A character who is rejected by
society or feels alienated.
• What do you think it means to have power in society? Is it only
about wealth, or are there other forms of power?
• How does money influence the way people are treated in society?
• How do you think social class affects opportunities and life
choices?
• In what ways do you see the struggle between different social
classes in today's world?
• How do you think stories or movies portray the conflict between
rich and poor characters?
5. MARXISM
• Marxist criticism is based on the social and
economic theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich
Engels.
• This approach focuses on social class, money,
and power. Marxist critics ask questions like:
Who has power in the story? Who is struggling?
How does the story reflect real-life issues around
wealth and poverty?
5. MARXISM
• Marxism generally focuses on the clash between the
dominant (bourgeoisie) and repressed (proletariat) classes.
• Investigates assumptions and values associated with
culture, race, class.
• For example: Are the rich always good or bad? Are the poor
always good or bad?
• Explores the power struggles of those who are minorities in
the dominant culture.
• Examines who has/does not have power, how they attained
it/why they don’t have it, and what they do with it/how they
are manipulated by it.
REFERENCES
Crews, F. C. (2024, October 15). Literary criticism | Definition, Theories, Types, Examples, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.
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RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fblue-sea-697d.quartiers047.workers.dev%3a443%2fhttps%2fwww.britannica.com%2fart%2fliterary-criticism/RK=2/RS=W4hALaguPc8o0DtBTlmtINhd9Mo-
Sir Enjay and Ma’am Maica’s Corner. (2021, November 22). EAPP in TAGLISH EP.6 - Critical Approaches in Writing a Critique [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWu6wgPRNCI
Yamasaki, P. (2023, June 21). What is literary criticism? Definition and Examples | Grammarly blog. What Is Literary Criticism? Definition and Examples
| Grammarly Blog.
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awrx.TSuTi9nuQIAduqzRwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNzZzMEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1732363183/R
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