Theories of Literary Criticism

P O L I T I C A L G E N D E R P O S T - M O D E R N I S M

Definition

An informed, written analysis &

evaluation of a work of literature.

Political
Political criticism (also referred to as political

commentary or political discussion) is criticism that is specific of or relevant to politics,including policies, politicians, political parties, and types of government. Throughout history one of the most influential methods of promoting political opinions has been through literature.

 Example of Political issues in Literature.

To kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)

Ninety eighty four By George Orwell (1949)

Ballad of Birmingham by Dudley Randall (1969)

Gender
Gender criticism examines how an author may have

influenced gender perceptions through a work of literature. Gender critics look for the gender stereotypes in literature. Because literature is timeless, it greatly influences the way society views gender differences.

What is Post-Modernism Literature?

POST-MODERNIST FICTION REJECTS THE NOTION OF UNIVERSAL TRUTHS AND PLAYS WITH THE POSSIBILITIES OF INTERPRETATIONS, MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES, UNCERTAINTIES, AND CONTRADICTIONS

 Postmodernism came about around the end of

WWII, though not actually studied as a form until the mid 1980s

Characteristics of Post Modernization Literature

Modern Literature (After WW1, late 1920s)

The writing is in chronological order and all loose ends are tied up for you in the end.

Post Modern (After WW2, Studied in mid 1980s)

usually fragmentation, loss, distrust of authority, and the lack of universal truths.

Postmodernism
Does not follow on from modernism

Does come after modernism

Not a literary style, more of a modern philosophy Applies the same techniques

Has a different outlook

Generally less pessimistic Black humor return to satire

Point of view
Writers change narrator perspective E.g. Paul Auster Invisible 2009

Moves from 1st person to 3rd person to 2nd person V.S.Naipaul The Mystic Masseur 1957 Moves from participant 1st person to non-participant omniscient narrator Arundhati Roy The God of Small Things 1996 Moves from child to adult perspective using a non-linear narrative

Examples of Post Modern Literature

References
http://voices.yahoo.com/types-literary-criticism-gender

criticism-8414361.html?cat=38 http://wikis.lib.ncsu.edu/index.php/Queer_Theory/Sexual ity_Studies http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_criticism Literature, An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing, 11d, X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia, 2010. http://www.quora.com/Literature/What-are-thedifferences-between-post-modern-and-contemporaryliterature http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernism#Literature