Hi there,
I've really been trying to understand the theory of postmodern criticism and modern criticism, but I still can't seem to understand what it is. I've been researching on the web, & it's still not very clear. I hope someone can help me out here.
thanks so much.
Other teachers may have more suggestions for you. Here are mine -- read widely:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=modern+literary+criticism&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images
and
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=postmodern+literary+criticism&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images
Since I'm not a big fan of people who practice literary criticism of any kind, it's hard for me to tell you what each of these is about. I adhere more toward Mortimer Adler's Great Books ideas -- read the texts, draw your own conclusions, and participate in shared inquiry.
http://www.greatbooks.org/about.html
Of course, I'd be happy to help! Postmodern criticism and modern criticism are both important theories in the field of literary and cultural analysis. To understand them better, let me explain the general concepts behind each theory.
1. Modern Criticism:
Modern criticism emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the rapid societal and cultural changes brought about by industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancements. Modern critics sought to explore how literature reflected and responded to these changes. They focused on themes such as alienation, individualism, fragmentation, and the disillusionment of traditional values.
To understand modern criticism, I recommend familiarizing yourself with key figures like T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce. Reading their works, such as Eliot's "The Waste Land" or Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway," can give you insights into the ideas and literary techniques characteristic of modernist literature.
Furthermore, exploring critical writings from this period can deepen your understanding. Reading influential essays like Eliot's "Tradition and the Individual Talent" or Woolf's "Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Brown" can give you a sense of how modern critics analyzed and interpreted literature at the time.
2. Postmodern Criticism:
Postmodern criticism emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against the principles of modernism. Postmodernists questioned the notion of objective truth, rejected metanarratives (grand overarching explanations of reality), and embraced pluralism and subjectivity. They believed that reality was inherently fragmented, and language played a central role in constructing meaning.
To grasp postmodern criticism, it's helpful to explore works that embody postmodernist qualities. Some notable authors associated with postmodernism include Jorge Luis Borges, Italo Calvino, Jean Baudrillard, and Salman Rushdie. Reading novels like Borges's "Ficciones" or Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" can help you understand the complexities and metafictional aspects of postmodern literature.
Additionally, diving into critical texts specific to postmodernism, like Jean-François Lyotard's "The Postmodern Condition" or Fredric Jameson's "Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism," will provide a deeper insight into the theories and ideas behind postmodern criticism.
Overall, to understand both modern and postmodern criticism, reading literature from the respective periods and exploring relevant critical texts is vital. By immersing yourself in the works and ideas of these thinkers, you'll gain a better understanding of the theories and approaches that define each movement.