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“Literary criticism is the study, analysis, and evaluation may be surprised to find that all of them have
of imaginative literature. Everyone who expresses an in common a love for the first Star Wars episode
opinion about a book, a song, a play, or a movie is a that hit the screen in 1979. The creators of Toy
critic, but not everyone’s opinion is based upon Story admired and were inspired by the special
thought, reflection, analysis, or consistently articulated effects presented in Star Wars.
principles.” - Mark Lund, 96
Common Questions for the Biographical Approach:
I. HISTORICAL APPROACH What aspects of the author’s personal life are
relevant to this story?
seeks to interpret the work of literature through Which of the author’s stated beliefs are
understanding the times and the culture in reflected in the work?
which the work was written. Does the writer challenge or support the values
The historical critic is more interested in the of her contemporaries?
meaning the literary word had for its own time What seem to be the author’s major concerns?
than in the meaning the work might have Do they reflect any of the writer’s personal
today. experiences?
For example, while some critics might interpret Do any of the events in the story correspond to
existential themes in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a events experienced by the author?
historical critic would be more interested in Do any of the characters in the story
analyzing the play within the context of correspond to real people?
Elizabethan revenge tragedy. Likewise, a critic
who analyzed Toy Story may be more III. FORMALISTIC APPROACH
interested in the historical significance in
analyzing how the movie reflects a turning The formalist critic embraces an objective
point in computer technology with this movie theory of art and examines plot,
representing the first fully developed computer characterization, dialogue, and style to show
animated feature film; it ushered in a new form how these elements contribute to the theme or
of art. unity of the literary work.
Moral, historical, psychological, and
Common Questions for the Historical Approach: sociological concerns are considered extrinsic
How does the work reflect the time in which it to criticism and of secondary importance to
was written? the examination of craftsmanship and form.
How accurately does the story depict the time Content and form in a work constitute a unity,
in which it is set? and it is the task of the critic to examine and
What literary or historical influences helped to evaluate the integrity of the work.
shape the form and content of the work? Paradox, irony, dynamic tension, and unity are
How does the story reflect the attitudes and the primary values of the formalist criticism.
beliefs of the time in which it was written or set?
(Consider beliefs and attitudes related to race, Common Questions for the Formalistic Approach:
religion, politics, gender, society, philosophy, How is the work’s structure unified?
etc.) How do various elements of the work reinforce
What other literary works may have influenced its meaning?
the writer? What recurring patterns (repeated or related
What historical events or movements might words, images, etc.) can you find? What is the
have influenced this writer? effect of these patterns or motifs? Is the
How would characters and events in this story structure of the work similar to other well-known
have been viewed by the writer’s stories, fables, myths, etc.?
contemporaries? How does repetition reinforce the theme(s)?
Does the story reveal or contradict the How does the writer’s diction reveal or reflect
prevailing values of the time in which it was the work’s meaning?
written? What is the effect of the plot, and what parts
Does it provide an opposing view of the specifically produce that effect?
period’s prevailing values? What figures of speech are used? (metaphors,
How important is it the historical context (the similes, etc.)
work’s and the reader’s) to interpreting the Note the writer’s use of paradox, irony, symbol,
work? plot, characterization, and style of narration.
What effects are produced? Do any of these
II. BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH relate to one another or to the theme?
Is there a relationship between the beginning
investigates the life of an author using primary and the end of the story?
texts, such as letters, diaries, and other What tone and mood are created at various
documents, that might reveal the experience, parts of the work?
thought, and feelings that led to the creation How does the author create tone and mood?
of a literary work. What relationship is there between tone and
For example, if you research the biographical mood and the effect of the story?
background of the creators for Toy Story, you
21st Century Literature of the Philippine and the World 2
V. PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH
What level of Maslow’s hierarchy is motivating How does the microcosm (small world) of the
the actions of various characters? story reflect the macrocosm (large world) of the
How does the family dynamic play out in the society in which it was composed?
plot and character relationships? Do any of the characters correspond to types of
Which psychological theory can be applied to government, such as a dictatorship,
the characters? democracy, communism, socialism, fascism,
Is there evidence of the unconscious, repression etc.? What attitudes toward these political
or the tripartite psyche? structures/systems are expressed in the work?
Are any of the characters demonstrating a
particular complex? VII. THE ARCHETYPAL APPROACH
What is the nature of the interpersonal
relationships among the characters? evolved from studies in anthropology and
psychology.
VI. SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH Archetypal critics make the reasonable
assumption that human beings all over the
focuses on the relationship between literature world have basic experiences in common and
and society. have developed similar stories and symbols to
To understand the Sociological Approach, a express these experiences.
student must understand some of the principals It was Jung who first used the term archetype to
related to the studies of Karl Marx, one of the denote plots, characters, and symbols found in
most important theorists of the relationship literature, folk tales, and dreams throughout the
between society, politics and economics. world.
Central to Marx’s understanding of society is the Some of the principal archetypes are described
concept of ideology. As an economic as follows:
determinist, Marx thought that the system of o The Hero and the Quest
production was the most basic fact in social life. According to Joseph Campbell, the
Workers created the value of manufactured story of the hero is the monomyth, or the
goods, but owners of the factories reaped most one story at the bottom of all stories. The
of the economic rewards. In order to justify and hero is called to adventure. This means
rationalize this inequity, a system of that the hero must go on a quest. The first
understanding or ideology was created, for the stage of the quest is separation: in this
most part unconsciously. stage the hero separates from familiar
surroundings and goes on a journey. The
A. GENDER APPROACH/FEMINIST APPROACH second stage of the quest is initiation: the
hero may fight a dragon, conquer an
This approach is a sub-category of the enemy or in some other way prove his or
Sociological Approach. It examines the role and her courage, wisdom gained in the
image of women in literature, media, art, and initiatory phase. Often the initiation
other forms of text. involves a journey to the underworld,
Likewise, we can also apply an analysis of men and the return phase is regarded as a
and their stereotypical roles throughout time kind of rebirth. This links the myth of the
and how they interact with women and how hero to the next archetypal motif. who
their image and roles are presented in text. he is and what is important to him.
o The Death and Rebirth Pattern
Common Questions for the Sociological Approach: o Mother Earth/ Father Sky
What is the relationship between the characters o Stock Characters/Archetypal
and their society? Characters
Does the story address societal issues, such as Just as there are repeated
race, gender, and class? archetypal patterns in literature,
How does the story reflect the Great American there are repeated types of stock
Dream? characters. These characters
How does the story reflect urban, rural, or appear throughout literature.
suburban values? Consider the following list: hero,
How do social forces shape the power villain, innocent, wise sage, mother
relationships between groups or classes of earth/goddess, clown, fool, dolt,
people in the story? Who has the power, and devil, temptress, damsel in distress,
who doesn’t? Why? knight in shining armor, goddess,
What does the work say about economic or and more.
social power? Who has it and who doesn’t? Any
Marxist leanings evident? Consider these questions for helping understand the
Does the story address issues of economic archetypal approach:
exploitation? What role does money play? What patterns emerge in the literature?
How do economic conditions determine the What universal themes are present?
direction of the characters’ lives? What situations seem common across cultures
Does the work challenge or affirm the social and time periods?
order it depicts? What mythological archetypes emerge?
Can the protagonist’s struggle be seen as Are there stock characters present? What
symbolic of a larger class struggle? makes them “stock”?