* Moral criticism focuses on the ethical implications of a work of art. It asks questions like:
* What values does the work promote?
* Does it encourage positive or negative behaviors?
* How does the work reflect societal norms and moral codes?
* Rhetorical criticism examines the ways in which art uses language, imagery, and other persuasive techniques to influence audiences. This aligns with the core concerns of moral criticism because the way a work is presented (its rhetoric) can directly affect its moral impact.
Let's break down why the other options are less fitting:
* Mimetic theory focuses on how art imitates reality. While it can inform moral criticism (by analyzing the moral implications of the imitated reality), it doesn't directly address the ethical aspects of the work itself.
* Expressive theory focuses on the artist's emotional expression in the work. While this can influence the moral message, it doesn't directly analyze the work's ethical impact on the audience.
* Formal theory focuses on the form and structure of the work, analyzing elements like composition, language, and technique. While form can contribute to moral impact, it's not the primary focus of moral criticism.
In conclusion, rhetorical criticism offers the most relevant framework for understanding the moral impact of art by examining how the work uses its persuasive elements to influence the audience's ethical understanding.