I. Literary Criticism Approaches:
* Formalism/New Criticism: Focuses on the text itself, examining its structure, language, and literary devices (e.g., metaphors, imagery, symbolism) to understand its meaning. It largely ignores authorial intent or historical context.
* Structuralism: Analyzes underlying structures and patterns in literature, seeking universal principles and systems that govern meaning. It often relies on binary oppositions (e.g., good/evil, male/female) to reveal deeper meanings.
* Post-structuralism: Challenges the foundational assumptions of structuralism, arguing that meaning is unstable and constantly deferred. It emphasizes the play of language and the impossibility of objective truth. Key figures include Jacques Derrida and Michel Foucault.
* Psychoanalytic Criticism: Explores the unconscious desires, motivations, and conflicts of characters and authors. It often draws on Freudian and Lacanian theories to interpret symbolic meaning and character psychology.
* Feminist Criticism: Examines how gender and power dynamics shape literary texts and their interpretations. It seeks to expose patriarchal biases and promote a more inclusive understanding of literature. Different strands exist (e.g., liberal, radical, post-feminist).
* Marxist Criticism: Analyzes literature through the lens of class struggle and socioeconomic forces. It examines how power relations, ideology, and material conditions are reflected in literary works.
* Postcolonial Criticism: Focuses on the impact of colonialism and imperialism on literature and culture. It examines the representation of colonized peoples, the effects of cultural hybridity, and the struggle for self-determination.
* Queer Theory: Challenges heteronormative assumptions and explores the complexities of sexual identity and desire in literature. It examines how texts construct and challenge notions of sexuality and gender.
II. Other Relevant Theoretical Approaches:
* Reader-Response Criticism: Emphasizes the role of the reader in creating meaning. It acknowledges that different readers will interpret a text in diverse ways based on their own experiences and perspectives.
* New Historicism: Analyzes literature in its historical context, considering the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped its creation and reception. It rejects the notion of objective historical truth.
* Cultural Studies: Broadly examines the intersection of culture, power, and identity. It draws on various disciplines (e.g., sociology, anthropology, history) to analyze cultural phenomena, including literature.
* Ecocriticism: Focuses on the relationship between literature and the environment. It examines how texts represent nature, explore environmental issues, and contribute to ecological awareness.
* Disability Studies: Examines how disability is represented in literature and challenges ableist assumptions. It promotes a more inclusive understanding of human experience.
Applying these approaches: It's important to remember that these approaches are not mutually exclusive. A sophisticated literary analysis often employs multiple theoretical frameworks to gain a richer and more nuanced understanding of a text. The best approach will depend on the specific text and the researcher's objectives.