Assignment task: Why do you agree or disagree with this
Literary criticism and literacy theory has changed over the years but kept the same fundamental views. They both have been around since the 19th century but became more prevalent in Europe and North America in the mid-20th century. Its rise and popularity came from social and cultural factors, which helped it drive through different colleges and universities during the end of the 20th century.
Literary criticism analyzes and interprets literature to understand its meaning, themes, and techniques. It involves examining the structure, style, and language used in a text and the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which it was produced. Several approaches to literary criticism include formalist, reader-response, psychoanalytic, and cultural studies. Literary criticism aims to deepen our understanding and appreciation of literature by revealing its complexities and nuances.
Literary theory refers to the various frameworks and perspectives used to analyze literature and its meaning. It attempts to explore the underlying principles and structures that inform literary works. Several literary theories help prove this; the most prominent one is Marxist theory. This theory analyzes literature about the social and economic structures that inform it.
The main difference between literary criticism and literary theory is the approach used to analyze and interpret literary works. While literary criticism and theory involve interpreting and analyzing literature, criticism focuses more on the specific literary work or author. In contrast, literary theory is more concerned with theoretical frameworks that inform how we interpret literature. Ultimately, students will better understand various works as new literature theorists.