Literary TheoryDifferent Perspectives

For Thinking About Texts

Literary Theory = Lens• Various lenses that can be used to evaluate a text.

• So…what’s a lens?

A lens is something we look through…

Lenses affect how we see things

Lenses also determine what we see

What do you see?

Literary Theory Definition• Different lenses critics use

to view and talk about art, literature, and even culture.

• Note: Literary Theory is also known as Critical Theory and Literary Criticism

• Theory = Criticism

Literary Theory Purpose

• Each theory has its own assumptions and questions

• Literary theory allows for focus on particular aspects of a text

Social Class Theory• Also known as Marxist theory• Based on theories of Karl Marx• Concerns itself with class

differences• Lens: Shows social class

conflict• “Historical change is driven by

material realities of society, not politics, law, philosophy, or religion.”

Social Class Lens Questions• Whom does the text benefit:

- The wealthy? The middle class?The poor?

• How is the lower class oppressed?• How do characters from different

classes interact or conflict with each other?

• What values are reinforced or rejected?

Feminist Theory• Aspects of our culture are

dominated by men• Feminist Theory focuses on the

ways in which texts reinforce or reject the oppression of women:

- Economically- Politically- Socially- Psychologically

Feminist Theory Basics

• Women are oppressed• Women are defined by their

differences from men• Men are honored and women

are sin (e.g. Adam & Eve)• Biology determines our sex,

culture determines our gender• All feminist activity has the

ultimate goal of gender equality

Feminist Theory Questions• How is the relationship

between men and women portrayed?

• How are male and female roles defined?

• Do characters take on traits from the opposite gender?