Literary Theory Flashcards
Formalism
Meaning of text through key elements ex plot, character, point of view, conflict
Unemotionally read
Formalism strengths weaknesses
The strengths are the reader only needs what is in that text to determine the meaning
The weaknesses are ignores the authors intentions, the reader must remain neutral, it ignores cultural context, it only focusses on the literary elements
Reader response
The reader’s role in interpreting texts
Ex how does the author evoke a particular reaction in you
What features of your own identity influence you in creating your interpretation
Reader response S and W
The strengths are. The meaning of the text can be different for everyone and it depends on the individual reader subjective position
The weaknesses are sometimes focusses more on the readers experience than the actual piece itself
Gender theory
How women and/or men are represented
Ex challenge or affirm traditional ideas, what’ text suggests their place in society, what expectations are placed on them
Gender s and w
S examines how men and women are represented in texts and how this can impact the reader
W rather limiting because only examines one element of the text
Marxism
Whom does the text benefit- what class Ex social class of author, who has power, effect of power struggle
Maxims s and W
s careful reading of text and thinking about its social historical and current contexts
W examines only a limited aspects of the text and dismiss the brushy of writing and don’t get to enjoy the text
Indigenous
First people
Ex whose voice is being heard
How are people represented
Implications for indigenous self image
Indigenous s and w
S in depth look and bring about inaccuracies, injustice encourages better understanding
W polarizing shared history and common goals, limiting, can’t understand it all from one text
Archetypal
Evokes a deep emotional response in all readers in unconscious memory
What archetypal events images and characters appear ex underworld garden wise old man
Archetypal s and w
S looks for universal meanings, is powerful in teaching and expressing those
W Leary of actually value, looked to deeply into where there wasn’t supposed to be symbols and can have different meanings
Psychological
Why the characters do what they do
Ex connection between authors life and characters,
Psychological s and W
S useful for understanding and gives insights
W neglects the writing piece, try to diagnose old authors, sex is seen too much
Biographical
Connection of work to authors personal experiences
Ex what aspects of authors life is relevant to story, do characters correspond to real life people
