1. Formalist Criticism:
* Focus: Examines the text itself, analyzing its structure, language, imagery, and literary devices. It seeks to understand how these elements work together to create meaning.
* Key Questions:
* What is the structure of the text?
* How does the language contribute to the overall effect?
* What are the major themes and how are they developed?
* How do literary devices like metaphor, symbolism, or irony shape the meaning?
2. Feminist Criticism:
* Focus: Examines literature through the lens of gender, focusing on the representation of women, the power dynamics between genders, and the social and cultural contexts that shape these representations.
* Key Questions:
* How are women portrayed in the text?
* What are the gender roles and expectations within the work?
* Does the text reinforce or challenge traditional gender stereotypes?
* How does the work reflect the social and cultural context of its time in relation to women?
3. Marxist Criticism:
* Focus: Analyzes literature through the lens of class, economic power, and social inequality. It seeks to understand how these factors influence the characters, their actions, and the overall narrative.
* Key Questions:
* How does the text depict social class and its impact on characters' lives?
* What are the economic forces at play in the story?
* Does the text reinforce or challenge existing power structures?
* How does the text reflect the historical and social conditions of its time?
These are just three of many perspectives that can be used to interpret literature. Other common approaches include:
* Historical Criticism: Examines the historical context of a text and how it influences its meaning.
* Psychological Criticism: Analyzes characters and themes through the lens of psychology.
* Postcolonial Criticism: Examines the impact of colonialism on literature and culture.
Remember, using multiple lenses can provide a richer and more nuanced understanding of a literary work!