Modern Literary Theory

 New Historicism :

New Criticism ----> New Historicism ----> Cultural Criticism

* New Historicism is the reaction to the New Criticism. Both of the theories are opposing each other. 

* New Historicism states that text and history are inescapably but New Criticism said that the text is not influence by any external circumstances included history.

Note : History - author biography, the idea of the story, social background ...

What is the relationship with Cultural Criticism ?

 * Cultural Criticism agreed the New Historicism idea which is the text and the history are related. 

* Example text that the theory can be used: Florence, The Rose for Emily

Reception & Reader - Response Theory :

* A reader gives assumptions to a text based on his experience or strategies that he has learned. 

* It can be used in all texts.

* The goal of educated reader :

                  ~ A “correct” reading is a reading which is difficult to attain. ~

Feminism :

* Women (and men) needed to consider what it means to be a woman and how much of what society has often deemed inherently female traits, are culturally and socially constructed.

* Since the 1960s the writings of many women have been rediscovered, reconsidered, and collected in large anthologies.

* Example text that the theory can be used : Florence, Things Fall Apart

Differences of Method between New Historicism & Reader Response Theory :

New Historicism	Reader Response
* Research on the history of the text. * Biography of the author.	* Focuses on the reader’s experience.

Differences of Historical Background between Feminism & New Historicism :

Feminism	New Historicism
* Feminist theories first emerged as early as 1792            * It took the turning point after woman obtained the vote	* Developed during the 1980s           *  Late critical approach           * More open to discuss the roles of women