Etymology, Meanings, and Definition of “Psychoanalytic Literary Theory” Etymology: The term “psychoanalytic” comes from the Greek word “psyche,” which means “soul,” and the word “analysis,” which means the study or examination of something. “Literary theory” refers to the study and interpretation of literature. Meaning: Psychoanalytic literary theory analyzes literature that focuses on the psychological motivations […]
Category: Literary Theory
Feminism as a Literary Theory
Introduction Feminism is one of the most significant social movements in the United States and worldwide today, with female leaders playing roles in government, business, education and entertainment. Yet many people, including women, do not fully understand what feminism means or how it impacts their daily lives. In order to truly understand feminism as a […]
An Introduction to Magical Realism
Introduction The term magical realism may seem vague or confusing to those unfamiliar with its origin. The style of writing known as magic realism has roots in Latin America, but it has grown and spread worldwide since its inception in the early 1900s. Today, magical realism has been adapted and utilized by writers from various […]
Russian Formalism as a Literary Theory
Introduction Russian Formalism is an influential literary theory that pays particular attention to the form and structure of works, rather than the author’s background or other external factors. As a student of literature, it can be helpful to understand what the Formalists were talking about and how their literary criticism can help you appreciate literature […]
What is Literary Theory?
Introduction Literary theory encompasses the philosophies and principles we may use to interpret a text. This is not an easy task, as many different perspectives exist. For example, some people would say that one should see the text as symbolic or metaphorical. In contrast, others may argue that this exact text is intended to portray […]
Origin and Development of New Criticism
Origin of New Criticism The origins of the New Criticism date back to the early 20th century, but it didn’t see widespread popularity until after World War I. New Criticism emphasizes the intrinsic value of a work of art, no matter its creator or subject matter, and demands that criticism remain objective and avoid delving […]
What is Liberal Humanism?
Introduction and Meaning Liberal Humanism or Humanism Literary Theory or Humanism in Literary Theory are all coined as the same. They refer to a belief that values based on humanity are more important than religious dogmas or creeds and desires of human beings. It is also called British Humanism. Herbert Read introduced this concept in 1941, but before that, […]
What is Metatheory?
Definition of Metatheory Metatheory is a theory concerned with the investigation, analysis, or description of the theory itself. It is important in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. The reason is that many of these fields rely on mathematical proofs to make progress. Metatheory refers to the study of theories, and it’s important because it applies […]
What are the Basics of Literature?
Definition of Literature By definition, the term literature refers to the body of written works. Traditionally, the term has been used for imaginative and unparalleled writing pieces determined by the objectives of their writers. Literature may be categorized depending on a range of categories including origin, historical background, genre, language, and types. However, its exact […]