New Criticism | Vibepedia
New Criticism, a dominant force in Anglo-American literary studies from the 1930s to the 1960s, championed the idea that a literary work should be judged…
Overview
New Criticism, a dominant force in Anglo-American literary studies from the 1930s to the 1960s, championed the idea that a literary work should be judged solely on its own internal elements. This movement, spearheaded by figures like I.A. Richards, T.S. Eliot, John Crowe Ransom, and Cleanth Brooks, rejected biographical, historical, and authorial intent as valid criteria for interpretation. Instead, it demanded a rigorous 'close reading' of the text, focusing on its formal qualities—symbolism, imagery, meter, and paradox—to uncover its unified meaning. While its influence waned with the rise of post-structuralism and other critical approaches, the emphasis on textual integrity remains a foundational skill for literary analysis.
Key Facts
- Year
- 1930
- Origin
- United States / United Kingdom
- Category
- Literary Theory
- Type
- Intellectual Movement