A History of Literary Criticism Episode 1 - What Is?
Dec 21, 2019
Dive into the world of literary criticism as key questions about literature and reading unfold. Explore the evolution of theories like mimetic and didactic, revealing how they reflect cultural intricacies. Discover how a contemporary novel, 'Three Daughters of Eve,' exemplifies the rich insights offered by diverse critical perspectives. The discussion emphasizes the importance of interpretation and invites listeners to engage in shaping future topics, making the exploration of literature both profound and interactive.
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Central Questions of Literary Criticism
- Literary criticism revolves around two main questions: 'What is literature?' and 'What is reading?'.
- These questions have no fixed answers but define the fields and positional theories in literary criticism.
Abrams's Literary Triangle
- M.H. Abrams's triangle maps literature through relationships between the work, the artist, the audience, and the universe.
- Different literary theories focus on different triangle points like mimetic, didactic, and expressive theories.
Mimetic Theory Explained
- Mimetic theory views literature as a reflection of reality, focusing on realistic depiction techniques.
- It helps categorize genres by the complexity of realism portrayed in works.
