NEW CRITICISM New Criticism is a literary theory that focuses only on the text itself , not the author, history, or reader. New Criticism is a formalist theory that treats the literary text as an independent, self-sufficient object and analyses its internal elements. It started in 1920–1940 in America and England Main idea: The text is independent and contains its own meaning. Key features: Focus on close reading Study of imagery, irony, paradox, symbol, tension Rejects author’s intention and reader’s emotion Text is a self-contained object Famous critics: Cleanth Brooks T S. Eliot I. A. Richards John Crowe Ransom Example: New Critics analyse paradox in poetry like: Main Principles 1. Close Reading Detailed analysis of: imagery paradox irony symbol tension 2. Intentional Fallacy Term by: W. K. Wimsatt Monroe Beardsley Meaning: Author’s intention should not be used to interpret text. 3. Affective Fallacy Meaning: Reader’s emotion is irrelevant. Text meaning ≠ reader feel...