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new criticism — A literary theory that focuses on close reading of texts without considering historical context or author's biography

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: A literary theory that focuses on close reading of texts without considering historical context or author's biography

Pronunciation (IPA): /nuː ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm/

Example Sentences

  • The professor taught us to analyze poetry using New Criticism, completely ignoring what Shakespeare had for breakfast.
  • New Criticism revolutionized literary analysis in the mid-20th century.
  • According to New Criticism, even if the author says 'I meant pizza,' the text might still be about existential dread.

new criticism

NOUN

[/nuː ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm/]

A literary theory that focuses on close reading of texts without considering historical context or author's biography

A literary theory that focuses on close reading of texts without considering historical context or author's biography
💡 Concept

A literary theory that focuses on close reading of texts without considering historical context or author's biography

New criticism over mysticism!
🎵 Rhyme

New criticism over mysticism!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/nuː ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm/
🇬🇧 UK/njuː ˈkrɪtɪˌsɪzəm/

🌳Etymology

Rootcritic
Suffix--ism

Origin

New Criticism is a literary critical approach that emerged in early 20th-century America and Britain. The term 'new criticism' was coined to emphasize its revolutionary departure from traditional biographical and historical methods of literary analysis, marking it as a contemporary and innovative methodology.

Breakdown

new (adjective: recent, novel, or revolutionary) + criticism (noun: the practice of analyzing and evaluating literary works). The compound denotes a fresh critical methodology focused on close reading and textual analysis rather than external contexts.

🎵Rhyme

criticism
mysticism
journalism

🔗Collocations

New Criticism approach
practice New Criticism
New Criticism movement
principles of New Criticism
New Criticism theory

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The professor taught us to analyze poetry using New Criticism, completely ignoring what Shakespeare had for breakfast.”

“New Criticism revolutionized literary analysis in the mid-20th century.”

😄 Fun example

“According to New Criticism, even if the author says 'I meant pizza,' the text might still be about existential dread.”

📚Related Words

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