ENG438 WEEK 1 DISCUSSION.edited
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Ashford University - California *
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438
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Arts Humanities
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by EarlPorpoiseMaster192
Hello professor and peers,
In Lynn's book, she highlights several modes of critical theories. Which include new criticism,
reader-response criticism, structuralist criticism, new historicism, postcolonial criticism, cultural
studies, political criticism, and feminist criticism (Lynn, 2018). New criticism mainly focuses on
the work, believing that it must stand on its own. Reader-response criticism can be described by
giving your personal responses or explaining how one should respond to the context.
Structuralist criticism is the overall system that critic is interested in to analyze the language of
literature. Deconstructive criticism is a simultaneous interest of a critic on how the text falls apart
and against itself. In other words, watch out for gaps, contradictions, and inconsistencies. New
historicism is intrigued with the solution to historical events. Postcolonial criticism allows shaping
ideas/values within a culture. Cultural studies would be the idea of writing about culture. Political
criticism is looked upon as the study of literature is not part of learning. Feminist criticism depicts
one’s attitude toward gender or perhaps their own gender role.
I believe the new criticism is the best mode in analyzing Gill's essay. The work on its own is not
what the author intended for it to mean. Based on the theory, the text is an artistic object. If the
reader were to automatically give a response, it would be biased. Many interpretations can be
complex.
I have not considered that reader-response criticism would reveal elements that I had no idea of!
Reader-response complaint would include exploring the text as a critical reader, explaining why
you like or dislike the text, and identify the text's purpose. According to Lynn, "without readers, it
seems safe to say there would be little reason to talk about literature; it is the reader who brings
the text to life, which gives it meaning. Otherwise, it's just black marks on a white page" (Lynn,
2018, chapter 2, p#.24). This did not resonate with me until today. Can you imagine if people did
not interrupt literature or had anything to say about the readings? I believe we would not be able
to expand knowledge and learning without the elements of reader response.
Bernice
Reference
Lynn. S. (2018).
Texts and contexts: writing about literature with critical theory
. (7th ed.) Boston,
MA: Pearson Education.
https://www.vitalsource.comPreface
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