Using Norton, we’ll start with “New Criticism” and move all the way to “Postcolonial Criticism.” This might not mean anything to you to begin with, but as we move forward, you might start to see how each literary movement grew out of the theories that preceded it. This assignment will test your understanding of some of those literary theories and your ability to apply their thinking to a text of your choice (with some limitations). We will repeat this assignment four times throughout the semester (once for each section of literary theories in Norton). Requirements For this assignment, choose one of the critical theories we’ve learned about in the current group. You will analyze one theory from each of these four groups: Emphasis on Text, Emphasis on Source, Emphasis on Receiver, and Historical and Ideological Criticism (we’re studying them in that order). You’ll then apply that critical approach to a single sonnet of your choice from “The Sonnet: an Album” in Norton, p. 989-1001 This work has two parts: • An analysis of the chosen critical theory • A criticism of a text using that theory The analysis of the theory has the following requirements: • Write a passage that is 300 to 750 words long • Answer the following questions about the theory: o What are the main critical approaches espoused by the theory? o What do you believe to be this theory’s strength(s)? o What do you believe to be this theory’s weakness(es)? o Why did you choose to write about this theory? o Offer evidence to support your answers • Proofread and check your work The criticism of the text has the following requirements: • Write a 500 word essay • Include a critical analysis of the poem using the approach favored by the theory you chose in the first part of this assignment • Avoid needless summary • Use proper MLA/APA formatting • Proofread and check your work Submission Submit these two parts as a single file to the assignment link in Canvas. Submit as a Word or pdf document. All other formats will be rejected.
Analysis of a Critical Approach and a Text (Emphasis on Receiver)
