CONTEXTBASED CRITICISM FEMINIST POLITICALECONOMIC CULTURAL ContextBased CRITICISM Examines

CONTEXT-BASED CRITICISM FEMINIST POLITICAL-ECONOMIC CULTURAL

Context-Based CRITICISM • Examines the context in which a literary text’s author, the text itself, and or/ the reader exist • Unlike text-based, context-based can (and often does) include outside research.

FEMINIST CRITICISM • Takes into consideration the social circumstances surrounding the creation and reading of a text. • Focuses on aspect of the literature that have been ignored by male authors, male readers, or male critics. • Examines gender distinctions implied in roles that women play in the text

FEMINIST CRITICISM • Will examine language (some critics argue that men and women use language differently) • Will examine language oppositions and imagery associated with men vs. women • Will examine issues of maternity.

POLITICAL-ECONOMIC • Also called MARXIST. • Interested in the relationship between the characters and their society, especially the class system. • Generally looks for a level or awareness shown in the literature of such issues.

POLITICAL-ECONOMIC • Looks for signs of economic exploitation • Because the works reflect the economic social order that produces it, writers are expected to reflect their class concerns • Contradictions & exaggeration of character, description, or language in a piece of literature are taken as critique of the social order.

CULTURAL CRITICISM • Began in the 1960 s and called attention to the issues involving Asian, Latino, Chicano, and African-American literary experience that is not taken into account by traditional critical methods.

CULTURAL CRITICISM • Both stated and unstated cultural issues are examined • Special uses of language are examined (such as rhythmic pattern and dialect) • Cultural criticism also takes into account alternative lifestyles.