Literary Criticism Flashcards
is the study, analysis, and evaluation of imaginative literature.
Literary criticism
focuses on a literary text itself, aside from questions about its author or the historical and cultural contexts of its creation.
New Criticism/
Formalism
investigates the life of an author using primary texts, such as letters, diaries, and other documents, that might reveal the experience, thought, and feelings that led to the creation of a literary work.
Biographical
cRITICIsm
one of the most productive forms of literary inquiry in the twentieth century. Developed in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) and his followers, psychological criticism has led to new ideas about the nature of the creative process, the mind of the artist, and the motivation of characters.
Psychological
criticism
The part of the mind that holds repressed desires, fears, and memories that are not accessible to conscious thought.
These hidden thoughts influence behavior, emotions, and dreams without the individual realizing it.
In literature, the unconscious manifests in symbols, dreams, slips of the tongue, and hidden meanings within a text.
the unconscious
A defense mechanism where uncomfortable or traumatic experiences are pushed into the unconscious to protect the individual from distress.
These repressed thoughts can surface in indirect ways, such as through dreams, symbols, or irrational behavior in characters.
Example: A character who fears abandonment may become overly controlling or develop obsessive tendencies in relationships.
Repression
(Instincts)
The primitive, instinctual part of the mind.
Operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification for desires like hunger, aggression, and sexual urges.
Driven by unconscious impulses and doesn’t consider morality or consequences.
Example in literature: Id (Instincts and Desires) → Padre Damaso represents the id because he is ruled by his emotions, arrogance, and impulsive behavior.
The Id
(Reality)
The rational, conscious part that mediates between the id and the superego.
Operates on the reality principle, trying to satisfy the id’s desires in socially acceptable ways.
Balances impulsive behavior with realistic decisions.
Example in literature: Ibarra represents the ego, trying to mediate between his desires for reform and the harsh realities of Spanish colonial rule.
The Ego
(Morality)
The moral compass, shaped by societal norms, parental guidance, and ethical values.
Enforces feelings of guilt, shame, or pride depending on actions.
Example in literature: Elias represents the superego, as he is guided by his moral principles and a deep sense of justice. Unlike Ibarra, who tries to work within the system, Elias is willing to fight against corruption but avoids unnecessary bloodshed.
The Superego
Represents wholeness and unity within an individual.
It is the balance between the conscious and unconscious mind.
Goal: Self-actualization (becoming the best version of oneself).
Example: A person who has accepted both their strengths and weaknesses.
The Self
The dark, hidden part of a person’s personality.
Contains repressed desires, fears, and weaknesses.
Often appears as an enemy or a villain in stories.
The Shadow
Helps individuals understand the opposite gender aspects within themselves.
Example: A warrior with a soft, caring side or a strong woman who is rational and decisive.
The Anima/Animus
Feminine traits in a man (nurturing, emotion, intuition).
Anima
Masculine traits in a woman (logic, assertiveness, strength).
Animus
The mask people wear in society.
How a person presents themselves to others, often different from their true self.
Helps people adapt to social expectations, but too much reliance on it leads to loss of identity.
Example: A strict boss at work who is kind and fun-loving at home.
The Persona
The person you aspire to be.
Ideal Self
The person you actually are.
Real Self
When the Ideal and Real Self are closely aligned, leading to a healthy self-image.
Congruence
A significant gap between the two selves, causing anxiety and low self-worth.
Incongruence
seeks to interpret the work of literature through understanding the times and the culture in which the work was written.
Historical CRITICISM
examines literature by considering the social, economic, and political context in which it was created.
Sociological Approach
This approach is a sub-category of the Sociological. It examines the role and image of women in literature, media, art, and other forms of text.
Gender /Feminist Criticsm:
examines the “universal” elements of human life as they occur across cultures. Archetypes are central to this form. Archetypes are the universal elements occuring in literary works from all over the world.
Mythological Criticism
Readers from different periods of time, different cultures, and different places will have different interpretations of the same text. It argues that the meaning of a text is dependent upon the reader’s response to it
Reader-Response CRITICISM:
