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Literary Theories

The document discusses literary theories, particularly focusing on Historical and Biographical Criticism, which analyze literature through the context of the author's life and historical era. It emphasizes that no single theory is definitive and that understanding the author's background can enhance the interpretation of their work. An example provided is Jose Rizal, whose life experiences influenced his writing of 'Noli Me Tangere.'

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15 views2 pages

Literary Theories

The document discusses literary theories, particularly focusing on Historical and Biographical Criticism, which analyze literature through the context of the author's life and historical era. It emphasizes that no single theory is definitive and that understanding the author's background can enhance the interpretation of their work. An example provided is Jose Rizal, whose life experiences influenced his writing of 'Noli Me Tangere.'

Uploaded by

priiiiiiiincess
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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2nd QUARTER

21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

LESSON 4: Literary Theories

Literary Theories – It is the lens through which you view the literature. There is no right way to
look at literature.

The Creation of Critical Theory

Theories – started to emerge during 20th century


- No theory is based on factual knowledge, someone created it, and it is arguable
- An open ended process and is not a science.

Historical/ Biological Criticism – a reflection of the author’s life and times or the life and times
of the characters in work

Common Assumptions of Historical? Biographical Criticism – understanding the social


structure or way of life a certain time period will help draw conclusions and better understand the
story. Discovering details about the author’s life and times will help the reader develop ideas
about a story.

New Historical Criticism – seeks to find meaning in a text by considering the work within the
framework of the ideas and assumptions of its historical era.
- Concerned with the political function of literature and with the concept of power which is
focused on revealing the historically specific model of truth and authority ( not a “truth”
but a “cultural construct”) reflected in a given work.

Literature will tell us about ways of thinking at time: ideas of social organization, prejudices,
taboos, etc. New Historicism is more “sociohistorical” than it is a delving into facts concerned
with cultural constructs of society.

How common is Biographical Context in writing?

The goal of biographical criticism is understanding why the author wrote what he or she wrote.
This pointing out how biographical circumstances contributed to the creation of parts of the text
– biographical reading often resemble non – theoretical psychological readings.

Influences on Biographical Context

Ideology – a system of beliefs that governs a group’s actions, its view of reality, and its
assumptions about what is “normal” and “natural”. Ideology can be communicated by discourse.
History of Biographical Criticism

Samuel Johnson (1779) researched poets and utilized truthful accounts of their lives to
understand nuances in their writings.

Important Questions for Biographical Criticism

 Understanding the author


 Understanding the author’s world
 Adding perspective

Example:

Jose Rizal, the author of Noli Me Tangere

Facts about Rizal


- Born June 19, 1861
- Grew up in Calamba, Laguna
- Political views were against the Spanish Regime
- Drafted into ilustrados
- Exiled to Dapitan

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