APPROACHES IN

LITERARY CRITICISM
 If you were to choose between those two roads, which one will you
take, knowing the fact that you can never go back once you decides?
Meet the Author
The Road not Taken
BY ROBERT FROST
 Poem Analysis
1. If you were the speaker, would you choose the “the less
traveled road,” too?
2. Is it always better to take the less traveled road? Why or why
not?
3. Should people be free to make their own choices or is it better
to follow parents and society?
4. What do you think is the personality of the persona as
reflected in his decision to take the less traveled road?
 Formalism or
Formalist Approach
Critique a literary selection based
on the overall artistic value of the
structure and elements of the
selection (structuralist/formalist)
 ETYMOLOGY

• The word ‘formalism’ derived from

the word ‘form’ or structure.
• The ‘ism’ is a belief or an approach
of looking at things.
 Literary Criticism
➢ is the evaluation, analysis,
description, or interpretation of
literary works
 Critique
➢ (verb) means to critically evaluate, analyze
or give careful judgment in which you give
your opinion about a literary work.
➢ (noun) is a detailed evaluation or analysis
of a literary piece.
 Critic
➢ Critic is a person who judges,
evaluates, or analyzes a literary piece.
 FORMALIST APPROACH or FORMALISM
It discovers the true meaning of a work by
giving attention to the form or structure,
elements and literary devices operating in it.

Structure/ form - It scrutinizes the plot

(chronological sequence) and the conflict in a
story.
 FORMALIST APPROACH or FORMALISM
It studies how the elements work together to
form unity and to give meaning to a text.
a. How do elements conspire or work together?
b. How does the conflict affect the characters’
actions?
c. What do the objects, events, images or actions
symbolize?
 FORMALIST APPROACH or FORMALISM

It analyzes the work as a whole, the form of

each individual part of the text from the
individual scenes and chapters, the
characters, the settings, the tone, the point of
view, the theme, and all other literary
elements and devices such as imagery .
 STORY ELEMENTS
Character- It is a person, animal, being , creature or
anything personified in a story.
Setting-It is not only the place and time a story takes
place but also includes the atmosphere.
Tone- It is the overall emotion conveyed by both the
choices of words, theme, sensory images, symbolism
and the narrator of the story such as suspenseful,
affectionate, happy or sad. .
 POINT OF VIEW
It answers the question “Who is telling the story?”
Types:
1. First person- It uses either of the two pronouns “I” or “We”. The
narrator is a participant in the story relating his or her own
experiences directly or an observer.
2. Second person- The story is told to “You”.
3. Third person- It uses pronouns “They”, “She”, “He”, “It” or a
name. The narrator may be omniscient (all- knowing) or has a full
access to the thoughts and experiences of all characters in the
story or may be a limited omniscient who usually cannot see into
minds or know the future, etc.
Theme- It is the author’s message to the readers.

Imagery-It consists of descriptive language to

create images in the mind of the readers through
their senses.
TASK 1:
Read each question and all the choices
carefully and then identify the best choice that
completes the statement. Write the letter of the
best answer in your notebook.
1. Based on the information in the poem,
what do yellow woods represent?
a. choice
b. older people
c. people
d. poets
2. In the first stanza of the poem, how is the
word “diverged” used?
a. headed to the same place
b. circled around and went backward
c. went in different directions
d. continued forward in a straight line
3.The rhyme scheme in the first stanza is
a. ABAAB
b. ABBAB
c. ABABB
d. ABBAA
4. What is the setting of this poem?
a. a wood with two roads in it
b. a dark forest in the middle of winter
c. a quiet street near a town
d. the back yard of a house in the country
5. In line 20, what “has made all the difference”
according to the speaker of the poem?
a. The speaker took the road less traveled by.
b. The speaker chose a road after looking as far down
it as possible.
c. The speaker selected the road that bent in the
brushwood.
d. The speaker chose the first of the two roads.
6. You can infer that the tone of the poem is
a. love and determination
b. confusion and hesitation
c. happiness and satisfaction
d. weariness and despair
7. Why the road have “wanted wear” and been “grassy?”
in the second stanza?

a. The second road had been taken by only few people.

b. The second road had a nice view.
c. The second road had been chosen by many people.
d. The second road was near a river that was near the
woods.
8. What do you think is the theme of this
poem?
a. living life to the fullest
b. giving up hope
c. making a choice
d. having strong determination
9. “I shall be telling this with a sigh”. This line refers to
a. the picture of the first road winding in the undergrowth
b. the plants and grasses that lay near the paths in the yellow
woods
c. the residence of the speaker in the vicinity of the yellow
woods
d. the explanation of why the speaker chose the second road
10. What are the various sounds that are used to
emphasize some sections of the poem?
a. alliteration, assonance, rhyme, repetition
b. alliteration, assonance, rhyme, onomatopoeia
c. rhyme, alliteration,
d. assonance, rhyme, alliteration
TASK 2: Critiquing using the Structural/Formalist Approach
1. Give the rhyming pattern of each stanza.
2. Pick the lines in the poem that use the following sounds:
a. alliteration
b. assonance
c. rhyme
d. repetition
3. Identify the lines which show imagery in the poem.
Read and analyze the introductory part
of the story A Day in the Country by
Anton Chekhov. Answer the following
questions.
LITERARY CRITICISM:
MORALIST APPROACH
➢ To study literature from the moral/intellectual perspective.

➢ To determine whether a work conveys a lesson or message

and whether it can help readers lead better lives and
improve their understanding about the world

➢ The approach is as old as literature itself, for literature is a

traditional mode of imparting morality, philosophy, and
religion. The concern in moral/intellectual criticism is not only
to discover meaning but also to determine whether works of
literature are both true and significant.
➢ The approach is as old as literature itself, for literature is a traditional
mode of imparting morality, philosophy, and religion. The concern in
moral/intellectual criticism is not only to discover meaning but also to
determine whether works of literature are both true and significant.

➢ Moral/philosophical critics believe that the larger purpose of literature

is to teach morality and to probe philosophical issues.

➢ According to Plato, literature must exhibit moralism and utilitarianism.

➢ Plato and Horace were early believers in this approach.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Robert Frost
1. What is the moral conveyed in the poem?
2. What does the poem say about human nature when
it comes to decision-making?
3. How does this poem remind you of the personal
choices that you made before?
4. In your point of view, do you think the speaker in the
poem is happy about his choice? Why or why not?
5. What are the chances that the speaker will get to
come back and try the other path?
 Justin was always prepared. His motto was “never
throw anything out, you never know when it might
come in handy.” His bedroom was so full of flat bicycle
tires, bent tennis rackets, deflated basketballs, and
games with missing pieces that you could barely get
in the door. His parents pleaded with him to clean out
his room. “What use is a fish tank with a hole in the
bottom?” his father asked. But Justin simply smiled
and repeated his motto, “Never throw anything out,
you never know when it might come in handy.”
What does Justin’s motto mean?

A. Being organized is a good trait.

B. Keeping old things might help you become rich.
C. It is always nice to keep things of no use already.
D. Things that you think are useless may be of use
again in urgent cases.
 What is the main idea of the passage?

“Let’s create an integrated global community where we have

shared benefits and responsibilities and
we don’t fight because of our differences.” - Bill Clinton

a. diligent
b. honesty
c. respect others
d. trustworthy
 How would you express the thought of the passage?

“When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us.
When our community is in a state of peace, it can share that peace with
neighboring communities.” - The Dalai Lama

a. Build peace in your own and to others.

b. Discipline comes within ourselves.
c. Stand on your belief
d. Work hard to achieve your goal.
LITERARY CRITICISM
THROUGH THE
MARXIST LENS
Marxism
Karl Marx
In doing a Marxist literary criticism, one must look
for the following details:
✓social classes that constitute the setting of the story (their
importance and role to run the plot and in injecting ideas);

✓ characteristics of such social classes (as to how social

classes interact each other and make conflicts between or
among social classes);

✓ author’s idea about the prevailing social issue like

oppression;

✓ technique of the author in using the social conflicts;

✓ resolving the embedded issue or problem;
✓ author’s message on the issue or problem whether stated
directly through characters or merely implied;

✓ author’s main purpose of writing the story far from

entertaining the reader;

✓ background of the author and his views on economy,

politics and society;

✓ the place where the literary piece was written(time period,

culture, traditions, practices, economy and politics that
might have influenced one literary piece ).
 Edward ALbee
considered as the foremost American
playwright of his generation
who introduced himself with a bang in 1959,
when his first produced one-act play, “The
Zoo Story,” opened in Berlin. This is about an
isolated young man who is desperate to
interact with other people.
The sky-rocketing launch of this play helped
propel the blossoming theater movement
that became known as Off Broadway.
 One Sunday afternoon, a well-dressed man named
Peter, wearing tweed and a smoking pipe, is an upper-
middle-class family man and publishing executive in his
mid-forties, is reading a book on a bench. Jerry, a sloppily
dressed transient in his late thirties, approaches and
announces that he is coming from the Central Park Zoo.
Despite Peter’s apparent reluctance to chat, Jerry strikes
up a conversation. Jerry’s forward personality quickly
begins to annoy Peter – he points out that Peter will likely
get cancer from smoking, and implies that Peter is
emasculated because he has cats instead of dogs.
Jerry continues to ask Peter questions about his life, his
job, and his interests. When Peter finally begins to
return Jerry’s questions, Jerry tells him about his
miserable apartment in a flophouse on the Upper West
Side. He describes his unsavory neighbors and the junk
that comprises his possessions – including two empty
picture frames. When Peter asks him about the picture
frames, Jerry explains that he is completely alone in life.
His parents died when he was young, and his only
significant romantic relationship was a short liaison he had
with another boy when he was a teenager.
Jerry promises to tell Peter about his trip to the
zoo, but is sidetracked into telling Peter about his
landlady, a drunken woman who constantly offers
him. When she got a dog, Jerry tried to befriend
it, but the dog responded only by attacking him.
After repeated and repudiated attempts at
friendship, Jerry decided to murder the dog by
feeding it a poisoned hamburger patty. Although this
sickened the dog, it eventually recovered and began
to simply leave him alone.
 Peter finds this story extremely disturbing, and
wonders why Jerry told it to him. Jerry explains that
he tries to befriend animals as a gateway to
befriending other people.
Peter tries to excuse himself, but Jerry tickles him
to keep him from leaving. He then tries to force Peter
to move from the bench, and punches him when he
refuses. Although Peter initially realizes that Jerry’s
behavior is absurd, he gradually becomes
more possessive of the bench.
 Unexpectedly, Jerry pulls a knife and insists Peter
to fight for it. This shocks Peter, who refuses to fight.
As a gesture of peace, Jerry gives the knife to Peter,
who holds the knife out to protect himself. When
Peter holds the knife defensively, Jerry charges him
and impales himself on the knife.
 Although he is initially hysterical, Jerry soon
calms down and accepts his death. He even thanks
Peter, using his last energy to wipe Peter’s
fingerprints off the knife handle so that Peter will not
be accused of his murder. Peter takes his book
and dashes off before passers-by notice that Jerry is
dying.
Which among the following points is not used in a
Marxist literary criticism?

a. Moral judgement rather than formal principles.

b. Technique of the author in using the social conflicts.
c. Social classes that constitute the setting of the story.
d. Author’s idea about the prevailing social issue like
oppression.
The only way to put an end to war is to overthrow
the bourgeoisie.

Which word in the sentence relates to Marxism?

a. bourgeoisie
b. end
c. overthrow
d. war
Feminist
APPROACH
Catalysts of Change
1. What is the song all about?

2. How did Mulan reflect real society? What notion about

women is revealed in the song?

3. What type of discrimination is experienced by the

character in the song?

4. Does this kind of discrimination against women still

exist these days? How or in what way?

5. Do you think women now enjoy equality with men?

Why or why not?
Feminist
This approach examines images of women
and concepts of the feminine in myth and
literature.

The literary and critical theory that explores

the bias in favor of the male gender in
literature, and reexamines all literature from
a feminist point of view.
Basic Premises
of Feminist Approach

1. Women presented in literature by male

writers from male point of view.

2. Women presented in writing of female

writers from female point of view.
 Read the following excerpts below. These excerpts were taken
from the works of a renowned feminist writer, Jane Austen. Analyze
each excerpt by answering the following guide questions after.

“Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world,
and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further
expense to anybody.” - Mansfield Park

“The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall
never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!”
- Sense and Sensibility

“What are men to rocks and mountains?” - Pride and Prejudice

Based on the given excerpts, how does Jane
Austen perceive women?

Does Jane Austen view all genders equally? Which

of the excepts will support your answer. Explain.
Test Yourself
Read the except of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and
answer the questions that follow.
___1. “When women are the advisers, the lords of creation don’t
take the advice till they have persuaded themselves…” What does
this statement say about the perception of women in the society?

a. It is perceived that women are wiser than men that is why men
listen to their counsel.
b. Men and women’s counsel are equally treated as important.
c. The society thinks men’s counsel is more reliable than women.
d. Women play an important part in the society when it comes to
making decisions.
___3. Which of the following is TRUE about Jane Austen’s view
on women’s marriage?
a. Women must be educated before getting married.
b. Women must marry a man when he asked her to.
c. Women must not get into marriage out of her will.
d. Women must not get into marriage when not attached to
him.
___4. What does Jane Austen mean about “…can write a
tolerable letter” in this excerpt?

a. Women express themselves well in writing.

b. Women become desirable for marriage when educated.
c. Women love to write letters for their loved ones.
d. Women bring honor to the family when they write a
tolerable letter.
___5. What can we infer about the society’s view on women’s
marriage?

a. Woman can decide when they can marry or not.

b. Man and woman both decide when they can get married.
c. Woman’s education is not an issue when it comes to
marriage.
d. Man’s relationship with the woman is considered a factor
to be married.
Relevance of the selection to
the historical context during
which it was produced
HISTORICAL APPROACH
 Learning
• OBJECTIVE
Define historical approach;
• Write an analysis of a literary piece using historical approach;
• Recognize the importance of historical approach in analyzing a literary piece
Let’s Analyze
Dr. Zavares tightened the final screw on his contraption.
He tossed the wrench on the workbench with a thud. The beakers in
the center of the room bubbled with activity. "Computer," he
announced to the empty room, "Zavares needs a lemonade."
A beeping and grinding noise could be heard in the distance and
then a small robot floated into the laboratory with a glass of
lemonade on a platter. Dr. Zavares grabbed the lemonade from
off of the platter and drank it. He then returned the glass to the
floating platter and the robot hovered away. "Well, here goes
nothing," Dr. Zavares said to himself as he reached for the power
switch on his latest contraption.
 Historical Approach

• Sees literature as both a reflection and product of the

times and circumstances in which it is written.

• History and literature come hand in hand because

together, they interpret human experiences and allow us
to know the things that shape our present time.
 Historical Criticism

It involves looking beyond the literature at the

broader historical and cultural events occurring
during the time the piece was written. An
understanding of the world the author lived in
(events, ideologies, culture, lifestyle etc.) allows for
a more comprehensive understanding of the work.
 Historical Context
Historical context refers to the time period in
which a text was written or set. It encompasses
the historical events, timeframe and
circumstances that influenced the text.

Learning about historical context can help

readers understand how historical events might
have shaped the themes, ideas and characters
within the text.
 Questions to ask:
What major historical events
Where and when was the Where and when was the
were occurring at the time
text written? text set?
the text was written or set?

Is there any language or

Were any wars or conflicts What types of technology
vocabulary specific to the
occurring at the time? were available at the time?
time period?
 It involves understanding the events and experiences
surrounding the composition of the work, especially the
author's life, and using the findings to interpret the work
of literature.

a. Feminist Approach c. Historical Approach

b. Formalist Approach d. Moralist Approach

 2. Which of the following is a
function of historical approach?
c. To see how society
a. To examine the
has changed since the
portrayal of the female
time the piece was
character.
written.
b. To show what the era d. To understand lessons,
the author was trying to
was like when the piece
teach through the story.
was written.
 3. Which is a philosophy of
historical approach?

c. It aligns with the

a. History shapes
other criticism.
literature

d. The past affects the

b. Literature shapes
author's choice of setting.
history.
 4. Which of the following is not a
consideration in writing a historical
approach?
c. Ideas circulating at
a. When the work was
the time of writing
written

b. Formal interpretation d. Author's biography

of a text and social background.
 5. What pivotal question can be
answered in historical approach?
c. Are there any special
a. Is male superiority circumstances during the
implied in the literary time in the work was
text? written?

b. How is the woman’s d. How are women

portrayed in the literary
point of view
work? As stereotypes? As
considered? individuals?
THE END
Personal significance of the selection to the reader

READERS-RESPONSE
APPROACH
 Reader Response
is a critical theory that stresses the
importance of the role of the reader in
constructing the meaning of a work of
literature.
Reader-response theorists recognize that texts do not interpret
themselves. Even if all of the evidence for a certain interpretation
comes from the work itself, and even if everyone who reads the text
interprets it in the same (as improbable as that might be) it is still the
readers, who do the interpreting, assigning meaning to the text.

Reader response criticism not only allows for, but even interests
itself in how these meanings to change from reader to reader and
from time to time.
Reader Response Theory
recognizes the reader as an active agent
who imparts “real existence” to the work
and completes its meaning through
interpretation.
Reader-Response theorists share two beliefs:
1. That the role of the reader cannot be omitted from
our understanding of literature

2. That readers do not passively consume the

meaning presented to them by an objective literary
text
It is a reader’s interaction with the text that
gives its meaning

a. Structuralist Approach
b. Moralist Approach
c. Reader-Response Approach
d. Marxist Approach
What should you look for in your reading if your teacher
didn't give you a specific prompt?

a. Any connections the text might have to your life

b. Feelings you have as you read the text
c. What you agree with or disagree with in the text
d. All of the above
What might be your response after reading a text?

a. Why did the author write this story?

b. The main character in the book was relatable because
of her struggle.
c. The story was great.
d. A summary of the text was substantial.