Literary Criticism - The Beginning

Discussion in 'Education & Personal Growth' started by Cimorene, Jul 29, 2016.

  1. Cimorene

    Cimorene Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    795
    Likes Received:
    1,493
    Trophy Points:
    263
    Gender:
    Female
    A year ago I was introduced to something called "literary theory" and "literary criticism" here at E&PG
    Since Jacques Derrida and William Empson's sly appearances in neurons, I tried to find resources to learn bit more about these concepts.

    From disco'ed Derrida youtube video to dense articles that skimmed over my head, finally I found something very approachable that serves as a primer. After going through few theories, I realised that literature is not a dainty hopscotch but it is a ferocious playground with brutal gladiators.

    If anyone is interested, here is shmoop's link to introduce literary theories: Literary Criticism
    You can explore the references (inline and appendix) for further reading.

    But why all this? You will be able to admire and analyse better what you are reading.
     
    Gauri03 and kaniths like this.
    Loading...

  2. blindpup10

    blindpup10 Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,245
    Likes Received:
    1,996
    Trophy Points:
    290
    Gender:
    Female
    @Cimorene
    OMG!! Let's hash it out. It has been forever that I read anything to do with Derrida/ Miller/Baba/ Jung.
     
  3. Cimorene

    Cimorene Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    795
    Likes Received:
    1,493
    Trophy Points:
    263
    Gender:
    Female
    Dear blindpup10,

    I am not sure if such dense topics can be engagingly discussed (read: my pretension will be exposed).
    The pin-up was more for quiet reading however your response was unexpected.

    How do you propose we discuss such topics here in a light-footed manner. If you have ideas, do share. I will be delighted.
     
  4. blindpup10

    blindpup10 Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,245
    Likes Received:
    1,996
    Trophy Points:
    290
    Gender:
    Female
    @Cimorene-sorry didn't mean to be intense! I didn't realize it was meant to be a silent reading.

    I assumed you would post the reading material or discuss the reading materials
    Ex- Dora:An analysis of a case or hysteria by Freud-- Start the reading from prefatory remarks. Pair the article with a novel like Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov.

    The posters would read both the reading material or listen to it and discuss the literary theory/ literary criticism from the novel. Analyze what Freud has suggested in the article is present in the novel.


    Dora

    I assumed this what this thread would be planning-- along some line.

    I am deeply sorry-- I didn't really understand what was truly meant.
     
    kaniths likes this.
  5. Cimorene

    Cimorene Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    795
    Likes Received:
    1,493
    Trophy Points:
    263
    Gender:
    Female
    @blindpup10 ,

    I will write to you tomorrow. Since when did “apology” become norm of the forum.
    You are a newbie to my tease. You have no clue such reciprocal exchanges are not music to my ears but singing bowl to my soul. Let's discuss more tomorrow.

    Till then let the tip of the tongue take a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. De. Ri. Da. ;)
     
    blindpup10 likes this.
  6. Cimorene

    Cimorene Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    795
    Likes Received:
    1,493
    Trophy Points:
    263
    Gender:
    Female

    I am fully sold to your approach.

    Let's begin with something very basic. How about reading Roald Dahl or PG Wodehouse and analysing the text against Vladimir Propp's narratemes? More details at 31 Narratemes.

    My library has plenty of books from these authors (slice of the collection below)


    Library.png

    The 31 Narratemes


    1st Sphere: Introduction
    Steps 1 to 7 introduces the situation and most of the main characters, setting the scene for subsequent adventure.

    1. Absentation: Someone goes missing
    2. Interdiction: Hero is warned
    3. Violation of interdiction
    4. Reconnaissance: Villain seeks something
    5. Delivery: The villain gains information
    6. Trickery: Villain attempts to deceive victim
    7. Complicity: Unwitting helping of the enemy

    2nd Sphere: The Body of the story
    The main story starts here and extends to the departure of the hero on the main quest.

    8. Villainy and lack: The need is identified
    9. Mediation: Hero discovers the lack
    10. Counteraction: Hero chooses positive action
    11. Departure: Hero leave on mission

    3rd Sphere: The Donor Sequence
    In the third sphere, the hero goes in search of a method by which the solution may be reached, gaining the magical agent from the Donor. Note that this in itself may be a complete story.

    12. Testing: Hero is challenged to prove heroic qualities
    13. Reaction: Hero responds to test
    14. Acquisition: Hero gains magical item
    15. Guidance: Hero reaches destination
    16. Struggle: Hero and villain do battle
    17. Branding: Hero is branded
    18. Victory: Villain is defeated
    19. Resolution: Initial misfortune or lack is resolved

    4th Sphere: The Hero’s return
    In the final (and often optional) phase of the storyline, the hero returns home, hopefully uneventfully and to a hero's welcome, although this may not always be the case.

    20. Return: Hero sets out for home
    21. Pursuit: Hero is chased
    22. Rescue: pursuit ends
    23. Arrival: Hero arrives unrecognized
    24. Claim: False hero makes unfounded claims
    25. Task: Difficult task proposed to the hero
    26. Solution: Task is resolved
    27. Recognition: Hero is recognised
    28. Exposure: False hero is exposed
    29. Transfiguration: Hero is given a new appearance
    30. Punishment: Villain is punished
    31. Wedding: Hero marries and ascends the throne

    We can exchange our notes and check if we matched on our analysis of the spheres.

    Cim : [1, 10, 16, 27]
    Blindpup10 : [ 1, 8, 17, 23]

    I cannot think of anything more reductive and fun than this. Let me know your thoughts and if you are interested the book you would like to begin with.
     
    blindpup10 likes this.
  7. Cimorene

    Cimorene Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    795
    Likes Received:
    1,493
    Trophy Points:
    263
    Gender:
    Female
    @blindpup10, I've checked out Roald Dahl's The Twits - Roald Dahl
    Let me know if you have access to the book (buy, borrow, recommend: steal)

    The book is only 112 pages so is a good choice as experimental in our project.
     
    blindpup10 likes this.
  8. blindpup10

    blindpup10 Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,245
    Likes Received:
    1,996
    Trophy Points:
    290
    Gender:
    Female
    @Cimorene- Nice!
    It's good to start it light and see how this thread would go.
    Why are we doing 2 different reading? Why not just the similar one-- [1,10,16,27]?

    About the book- nope I don't have Roald Dahl. It will take few days to be delivered.

    Let's say we will say like Aug15th OR (any time that's suitable for you) for us to give our POV..?? In the meantime, if anyone is interested can also join into this discussion too.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2016
  9. Cimorene

    Cimorene Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    795
    Likes Received:
    1,493
    Trophy Points:
    263
    Gender:
    Female
    I was unclear in my previous post.
    What I meant was after reading the book we identify the spheres in the book and choose a (or multiple if you feel more then one describes the situation) narratemes.

    1st Sphere: Introduction (both think alike that the story begins with #1 someone missing)
    2nd Sphere: The Body of the story (our interpretation of the story diverges because you feel #8 and I feel #10 embodies the storyline)
    3rd Sphere: The Donor Sequence (same here)
    4th Sphere: The Hero’s return (same here)

    This is how my analysis matrix looks
    Cim : [1, 10, 16, 27]

    and yours,
    Blindpup10 : [ 1, 8, 17, 23]

    Same text, deviation in our interpretation. August 2nd week suits me.
     
    blindpup10 likes this.
  10. Cimorene

    Cimorene Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    795
    Likes Received:
    1,493
    Trophy Points:
    263
    Gender:
    Female
    For those who are wondering why "— The Beginning" and not " — The Beginners".
    I watched Bahubali movie recently and felt "Beginning" is more emphatic.
     
    blindpup10 and kaniths like this.

Share This Page