New Criticism: A Critical Approach

New Criticism, a literary movement that emerged in the 1940s, revolutionized the way readers and scholars approach literary texts. This critical approach, also known as Formalism, focuses on the text itself, rather than external factors like authorial intent, historical context, or reader response.

Core Principles:

1. Close Reading: New Critics believe in carefully analyzing the text’s language, structure, and literary devices to uncover its meaning.
2. Autonomy of the Text: The text is seen as a self-contained unit, independent of external influences.
3. Organic Unity: New Critics argue that a literary work is a unified, cohesive whole, with all elements contributing to its overall meaning.
4. Ambiguity and Paradox: New Critics celebrate the complexity and ambiguity of literary texts, recognizing that meaning can be multifaceted and open to interpretation.

Key Figures of New Criticism:

1. John Crowe Ransom: A founder of New Criticism, Ransom emphasized the importance of close reading and the autonomy of the text.
2. T.S. Eliot: Eliot’s essays on literary criticism and his own poetry influenced the development of New Criticism.
3. William Empson: Empson’s work on ambiguity and complexity in literature is a cornerstone of New Critical thought.
4. Cleanth Brooks: Brooks’ essays and books, such as “The Well Wrought Urn,” exemplify New Critical principles.

Important works associated with New Criticism:

1. William K. Wimsatt and Monroe C. Beardsley’s “The Intentional Fallacy” (1946): Argues that a work’s meaning should be determined by its language, not the author’s intentions.
2. Cleanth Brooks’ “The Well Wrought Urn” (1947): A collection of essays that demonstrate close reading and analysis of poems.
3. Robert Penn Warren’s “Understanding Poetry” (1938): A textbook that applies New Critical methods to poetry analysis.
4. John Crowe Ransom’s “The New Criticism” (1941): A collection of essays that outline the principles of New Criticism.
5. T.S. Eliot’s “The Sacred Wood” (1920): While not exclusively a New Critical work, it influences the movement with its focus on literary tradition and close analysis.
6. I.A. Richards’ “Practical Criticism” (1929): A study that emphasizes close reading and analysis of literary texts.
7. Allen Tate’s “Reason in Madness” (1941): A collection of essays that apply New Critical methods to poetry analysis.
8. Yvor Winters’ “In Defense of Reason” (1947): A collection of essays that demonstrate close reading and analysis of literary texts.

Impact and Influence:

1. Literary Theory: New Criticism laid the groundwork for subsequent literary theories, like Structuralism and Poststructuralism.
2. Academic Literary Studies: New Criticism shaped the way literature is taught and studied in universities.
3. Literary Analysis: New Criticism’s emphasis on close reading and textual analysis remains a fundamental approach in literary criticism.

Criticisms and Controversies:

1. Narrow Focus: Some argue that New Criticism’s focus on the text alone neglects important contextual factors.
2. Elitism: New Criticism has been accused of promoting an elitist view of literature, valuing complexity over accessibility.
3. Overemphasis on Ambiguity: Critics argue that New Criticism’s celebration of ambiguity can lead to interpretive chaos.

Important magazines associated with the New Criticism movement:

1. The Southern Review (1935-1942): Co-founded by John Crowe Ransom, this magazine was a key platform for New Critical ideas.
2. Kenyon Review (1939-present): Founded by John Crowe Ransom, this magazine became a leading outlet for New Critical essays and reviews.
3. Sewanee Review (1892-present): Although predating New Criticism, this magazine was influenced by the movement and published many New Critical essays.
4. Partisan Review (1934-2003): While not exclusively a New Critical magazine, it published many essays by New Critics and was influenced by the movement.
5. Hudson Review (1948-present): This magazine was founded by Frederick Morgan and published many New Critical essays and reviews.
6. The Sewanee Review (1892-present): This magazine, founded in 1892, was influenced by the movement and published many essays by New Critics.
7. The Kenyon Review New Series (1979-present): This magazine, a continuation of the original Kenyon Review, still publishes essays and reviews influenced by New Critical ideas.

These magazines played a significant role in shaping and disseminating New Critical ideas, providing a platform for key figures like John Crowe Ransom, T.S. Eliot, and Cleanth Brooks to share their thoughts on literary criticism and analysis.

Conclusion:

This movement’s innovative approach to literary analysis has had a lasting impact on literary theory and academic studies. While criticisms and controversies surround this movement, its influence on literary criticism and analysis remains undeniable.

Read and Learn more: Eco-Feminism: 4 Important Principles