Nathaniell C.

Capinpin
San Agustin Diocesan Academy
English 10

What is Literary Criticism?

Imagine you're reading a book or watching a movie, and you have thoughts and opinions about it.
Maybe you like how the story unfolds, or maybe you think some parts could have been done better.
That's kind of what literary criticism is about – it's when people analyze and talk about books, poems,
plays, movies, or even songs to understand them better and share their thoughts.
So, literary criticism is like looking at a piece of writing or any kind of creative work and trying to
figure out what it means, how it works, and what makes it good or not so good.
In formal terms, literary criticism can be defined as the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of
literary works, encompassing various elements such as structure, language, themes, and cultural
context. It involves a systematic examination of texts to discern their meaning, artistic merit, and
socio-historical significance. Literary critics employ various theoretical frameworks and methodologies
to illuminate the complexities of literature and to engage in scholarly discourse about its aesthetic,
cultural, and philosophical dimensions. Through critical inquiry, literary criticism seeks to deepen our
understanding of literature and its role in shaping individual and collective identities, perspectives, and
values.

Literary Criticism Approaches

Formalist Approach
The formalist approach in literary criticism focuses primarily on the internal elements of a literary
work, such as its structure, language, and style, rather than external factors like historical context or
authorial intention. Formalists believe that the meaning and value of a text are inherent within the
work itself, independent of the author's background or the cultural context in which it was produced.
When conducting formalist literary criticism, the focus is on the following aspects:
Structure: Formalists examine the organization and arrangement of elements within the text, including
its plot, narrative techniques, and overall composition. They look at how the story unfolds, the use of
plot devices, and any patterns or repetitions that contribute to the work's aesthetic unity.
Language: Formalists pay close attention to the language choices made by the author, including word
usage, sentence structure, and literary devices such as metaphor, symbolism, and imagery. They analyze
how these linguistic elements convey meaning and contribute to the overall impact of the text.
Style: Formalists analyze the author's writing style, including their tone, voice, and rhetorical strategies.
They consider how the author's stylistic choices shape the reader's experience and interpretation of
the text.
Themes and Symbols: While formalists focus primarily on the formal elements of a text, they also
explore the themes and symbols that emerge from the interplay of these elements. However, unlike
Nathaniell C. Capinpin
San Agustin Diocesan Academy
English 10

other approaches, formalists emphasize how these thematic and symbolic elements are manifested
through the form and structure of the text itself.

Guide questions commonly used in a formalist approach to literary criticism include:

• How does the structure of the text contribute to its overall meaning and impact?
• What literary devices does the author employ, and how do they enhance the reader's
understanding and engagement with the text?
• How does the author's use of language and style reflect the themes and ideas explored in the
text?
• What patterns or repetitions can be observed within the text, and what significance do they
hold?
• How do the formal elements of the text, such as its structure and language, shape the reader's
interpretation and emotional response?
Biographical Approach
The biographical approach in literary criticism focuses on understanding a literary work by examining
the life, experiences, and background of the author. This approach assumes that the author's personal
history, beliefs, and experiences directly influence their writing, and therefore, understanding the
author's biography can provide valuable insights into the meaning and interpretation of their works.
When employing the biographical approach, critics investigate various aspects of the author's life,
including:
Personal Background: This includes details such as the author's upbringing, education, family life,
social class, and cultural milieu. Understanding these factors can shed light on the author's worldview,
values, and motivations.
Life Events: Biographical critics examine significant events in the author's life, such as personal
struggles, relationships, travels, and career milestones. They consider how these experiences might
have shaped the author's perspective and influenced the themes, characters, and events depicted in
their works.
Influences and Inspirations: Critics explore the literary, intellectual, and cultural influences that shaped
the author's artistic development. This may involve identifying literary mentors, philosophical ideas,
or historical events that left a mark on the author's creative imagination.
Authorial Intentions: Biographical criticism often seeks to uncover the author's intentions and
purposes behind the creation of a particular work. By examining letters, journals, interviews, and
autobiographical writings, critics aim to discern the author's thoughts, aspirations, and creative
process.
Nathaniell C. Capinpin
San Agustin Diocesan Academy
English 10

Guide questions commonly used in a biographical approach to literary criticism include:

• How do the events and experiences of the author's life reflect or resonate with themes and
motifs found in their literary works?
• In what ways do the author's personal beliefs, values, and ideologies manifest in their writing?
• How might the author's cultural, social, or historical context influence the portrayal of
characters, settings, and conflicts in their works?
• Are there parallels between significant events or relationships in the author's life and the
narratives or characters depicted in their literary works?
• To what extent does knowledge of the author's biography enhance or alter our understanding
and interpretation of their works?

Feminist Approach
The feminist approach in literary criticism focuses on analyzing literature through the lens of gender
dynamics, power structures, and the representation of women. It seeks to uncover and challenge the
ways in which literature reflects, reinforces, or challenges societal attitudes and norms regarding gender
roles, sexuality, and identity.
When employing the feminist approach, critics examine various aspects of literary texts, including:
Representation of Women: Feminist critics analyze how female characters are portrayed in literature,
paying attention to their agency, complexity, and relationships with male characters. They explore
whether women are depicted as fully realized individuals or as stereotypes and examine how their roles
reflect or challenge traditional gender norms.
Narrative Perspective: Feminist critics consider the perspective from which a story is told and how it
influences the portrayal of gender dynamics. They examine the ways in which male and female voices
are represented in literature and interrogate the power dynamics inherent in the narrative gaze.
Themes and Symbols: Feminist critics identify themes and symbols related to gender, sexuality, and
the body, such as motherhood, domesticity, sexual violence, and resistance. They analyze how these
themes are depicted and whether they perpetuate or subvert patriarchal ideologies.
Authorial Choices: Feminist critics explore the role of the author in shaping gender representations
and narratives. They investigate how the author's gender, background, and ideological beliefs influence
their portrayal of women and gender relations in their works.
Historical and Cultural Context: Feminist critics situate literary texts within their historical and cultural
contexts, considering how societal attitudes toward gender have evolved over time and how these
attitudes are reflected in literature. They also examine how literature intersects with other forms of
cultural production, such as art, politics, and popular culture, to shape and reflect gender norms.
Nathaniell C. Capinpin
San Agustin Diocesan Academy
English 10

Guide questions commonly used in a feminist approach to literary criticism include:

• How are female characters depicted in the text, and what roles do they occupy within the
narrative?
• What power dynamics exist between male and female characters, and how do they reflect
broader societal attitudes toward gender?
• To what extent does the text challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles and stereotypes?
• How does the author's gender influence their portrayal of gender dynamics and female
characters?
• What insights does the text offer into the experiences and perspectives of women within a
particular historical or cultural context?

Sociological Approach
When taking a sociological approach that focuses on the relationship between literature and society,
the analysis centers on how the literary piece reflects, critiques, or responds to social issues, norms,
and structures. Here's how the analysis might look:
Social Issues Portrayed: The analysis begins by identifying the social issues depicted in the literary
work. This could include themes such as inequality, poverty, discrimination, gender roles, social class
divisions, political unrest, or cultural clashes.
Representation of Society: The text is examined to understand how it portrays the society in which it
is set. This involves looking at the social structures, institutions, and norms depicted within the
narrative. For example, does the story take place in a hierarchical society with clear class distinctions,
or in a community struggling with racial tensions?
Characterization and Social Identity: The characters are analyzed in terms of their social identities and
positions within society. This includes considering their social class, ethnicity, gender, occupation, and
other markers of identity. Questions may arise regarding how these identities shape the characters'
experiences, opportunities, and interactions with others.
Power Dynamics: The analysis delves into the power dynamics at play within the literary work. This
involves examining who holds power and privilege within the society portrayed and how power is
wielded and contested. For instance, are there characters or groups marginalized or oppressed by
dominant social forces?
Social Commentary and Critique: The text is scrutinized for any commentary or critique it offers on
societal issues and norms. This could be explicit, through characters' dialogue or narration, or more
subtle, through symbolism, plot events, or the overall tone of the narrative.

Reception and Impact: Finally, the analysis considers how the literary work has been received by its
audience and the broader societal impact it may have had. This involves exploring how readers, critics,
Nathaniell C. Capinpin
San Agustin Diocesan Academy
English 10

and society at large have interpreted and responded to the text's portrayal of social issues and whether
it has contributed to social awareness, change, or reflection.
Here are some guide questions for analyzing the relationship between literature and society using a
sociological approach:

• What social issues are addressed or depicted in the literary work?

Consider themes such as inequality, injustice, discrimination, social class divisions, gender
roles, cultural clashes, or political turmoil.
• How does the literary work represent the society in which it is set?
Analyze the social structures, institutions, and norms portrayed within the narrative. Are there
clear hierarchies, institutions of power, or cultural customs depicted?
• What social identities do the characters possess, and how do these identities influence their
experiences and interactions within society?
Explore the characters' social class, ethnicity, gender, occupation, and other markers of
identity. How do these identities shape their opportunities, relationships, and conflicts?
• Does the literary work offer any commentary or critique on societal issues or norms?
Look for explicit or implicit messages about social issues and values conveyed through the
narrative, characters, dialogue, symbolism, or plot events.
• How has the literary work been received by its audience, and what impact has it had on society?
Consider how readers, critics, and society at large have interpreted and responded to the text's
portrayal of social issues. Has the work contributed to social awareness, change, or reflection?

Marxist Approach
When using a Marxist approach to analyze literature, the focus is on understanding how social class
and social inequality are depicted and critiqued within the text. Marxism views society as divided into
different social classes based on their relationship to the means of production, with the ruling class
(bourgeoisie) holding power and exploiting the working class (proletariat). Here's how a Marxist
analysis of literature might proceed:
Class Representation: Identify how different social classes are represented in the text. Look for
characters who embody the bourgeoisie, the proletariat, and potentially other social classes. Pay
attention to their roles, behaviors, and interactions within the narrative.
Economic Conditions: Analyze the economic conditions depicted in the text, including issues such as
labor relations, wealth distribution, poverty, and exploitation. Consider how characters' economic
circumstances shape their lives and opportunities.
Power Dynamics: Examine the power dynamics between different social classes within the society
portrayed in the text. Identify instances of class struggle, oppression, resistance, and domination.
Consider who holds economic, political, and social power, and how this power is maintained or
challenged.
Nathaniell C. Capinpin
San Agustin Diocesan Academy
English 10

Social Inequality: Explore the theme of social inequality and its consequences for characters and
society as a whole. Consider how access to resources, opportunities, and social mobility is determined
by one's class background. Look for instances of injustice, discrimination, and exploitation based on
class.
Critique of Capitalism: Consider whether the text offers a critique of capitalism and its impact on
society. Look for themes or messages that challenge the inequalities and injustices inherent in the
capitalist system, such as alienation, commodification, and the concentration of wealth and power.
Potential for Social Change: Assess whether the text suggests the possibility of social change or
revolution. Look for moments of class consciousness, solidarity, and resistance among oppressed
groups. Consider how the narrative resolution or characters' actions may reflect Marxist ideas about
social transformation.
By applying a Marxist approach to literature, analysts can uncover the ways in which literary works
engage with issues of social class and inequality, offering insights into the material conditions and
power dynamics of the societies they portray.

Here are some guide questions for conducting a Marxist literary analysis focusing on social class and
social inequality:

• What are the dominant social classes depicted in the literary work?
Identify characters or groups that represent the bourgeoisie (ruling class) and the proletariat
(working class). Consider their roles, behaviors, and relationships within the narrative.
• How are economic relations portrayed within the text?
Analyze the economic conditions and relationships depicted, including labor relations, wealth
distribution, and ownership of the means of production. Consider how characters'
socioeconomic backgrounds impact their experiences and opportunities.
• What are the power dynamics between different social classes?
Examine how power is distributed and exercised among the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
Look for instances of exploitation, oppression, resistance, and class struggle within the
narrative.
• What forms of social inequality are evident in the text?
Identify instances of social inequality based on class, including disparities in wealth, access to
resources, and social status. Consider how characters' class backgrounds shape their lives and
interactions.
• Does the text critique or challenge capitalist ideology and practices?
Look for themes or messages that question the legitimacy and fairness of capitalism, such as
exploitation, alienation, commodification, and class conflict. Consider whether the text offers
alternatives or critiques to capitalist social relations.
Nathaniell C. Capinpin
San Agustin Diocesan Academy
English 10

• Are there moments of class consciousness or solidarity among oppressed groups?

Look for instances where characters demonstrate awareness of their class interests and unite
in collective action against oppression. Consider how these moments contribute to the
potential for social change or revolution within the narrative.
• What is the resolution of the narrative, and how does it reflect Marxist ideas about social
transformation?
Analyze how the narrative concludes and whether it suggests the possibility of overcoming
social inequalities and restructuring society. Consider whether the resolution reinforces or
challenges dominant class relations.

Reader-response Approach
Reader-response approach is all about how you, as an individual, personally interact with any kind of
literature or art. It's about your feelings, thoughts, and opinions about a book, movie, song, poem,
play, or artwork.
When you experience something, like reading a book or watching a movie, you bring your own likes,
dislikes, and experiences to the table. With reader-response, there's no right or wrong way to feel or
think about it. Your opinions and reactions are valid because they're based on your personal
experiences and feelings.
For example, you might love a book because you relate to the characters, enjoy the storyline, or find
the writing style beautiful. On the other hand, you might dislike a movie because you don't connect
with the characters, find the plot boring, or disagree with the message it's trying to convey.
Reader-response is all about recognizing that each person's experience with literature or art is unique
and valid. It's like having a conversation with the piece of art, where your thoughts and feelings matter
just as much as the creator's intentions.
Guide questions:

• What is your opinion about the literary piece?

• What did the literary piece make you feel, learn, realize?
• What did you like about the piece? Why?
• What did you not like about the piece? Why?
• Is the piece good or bad? Is it beautiful or not? Why? What makes it good or beautiful? What
makes it not good or not beautiful?
• What did you learn from the piece?