What is Literary Criticism?
Literary criticism is the study, analysis, and evaluation of literature such as poems, novels, plays, and short stories.
In simple words: Literary criticism means reading a text carefully, thinking deeply about it, and explaining what it means, how it works, and why it is important.
Purpose of Literary Criticism
Literary criticism helps us to:
Understand the meaning of a literary work, Analyze the themes, characters, language, and structure, Appreciate the beauty and value of literature, Explain why a work is good or important, Compare different literary works
What Does a Literary Critic Do?
A literary critic:
Reads the text carefully Studies the plot, characters, setting, and style
Interprets the message or theme Judges the quality and effectiveness of the work
Writes an explanation or evaluation of the text
Main Elements Studied in Literary Criticism
a) Theme
The main idea or message of the work
Example: love, war, freedom, justice, power
b) Plot
The story or sequence of events
c) Characters
The people in the story, their behavior, personality, and development
d) Setting
The time and place of the story
e) Language and Style
The writer’s choice of words ,use of imagery, symbols, metaphors, etc.
f) Tone and Mood
Tone: the writer’s attitude
Mood: the feeling created in the reader
Types of Literary Criticism (Major Approaches)
- Formal Criticism
Focuses only on the text itself
Studies language, structure, imagery, and style
Does not consider the author’s life or history
- Biographical Criticism
Studies the author’s life and experiences
Connects the writer’s life with the literary work
- Historical Criticism
Studies the historical and social background
Explains how history influences the text
- Moral / Philosophical Criticism
Examines the moral lessons or ideas
Asks what the work teaches about right and wrong
- Psychological Criticism
Studies characters using psychology
Focuses on emotions, behavior, and mental state
- Marxist Criticism
Focuses on class, power, money, and society
Studies rich vs poor, oppression, and inequality
- Feminist Criticism
Studies the role of women and gender
Examines women’s representation and equality
Importance of Literary Criticism
Literary criticism is important because:
It improves thinking and analytical skills
It helps students understand literature deeply
It increases appreciation of art and culture
It encourages different interpretations
Example (Simple)
If we read a novel about poverty:
A historical critic studies the time period
A Marxist critic studies rich and poor classes
A moral critic studies lessons about humanity
Conclusion
Literary criticism is the art of understanding and interpreting literature.
It helps readers go beyond the surface meaning and explore deeper ideas, emotions, and messages in literary works.
