AP English Literature and Composition
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition studying literary analysis and interpretation.
Advanced Topics
Literary Theory and Critical Lenses
What Are Literary Theories?
Literary theories are different ways to interpret texts. Each theory acts like a unique pair of glasses, revealing new layers of meaning.
Popular Critical Lenses
- Feminist Criticism: Examines gender roles and power structures.
- Marxist Criticism: Focuses on class, economics, and power.
- Psychoanalytic Criticism: Explores the influence of psychology on characters and authors.
- Historical Criticism: Looks at the time period and cultural context of a text.
Why Use Critical Lenses?
Applying different lenses lets you see texts from multiple perspectives, leading to richer analysis and deeper understanding.
Real-World Connection
These skills help you approach news and media critically, recognizing underlying biases and assumptions.
Examples
Interpreting 'The Great Gatsby' through a Marxist lens to examine wealth inequality.
Applying feminist criticism to 'Jane Eyre' to explore gender dynamics.
In a Nutshell
Critical lenses offer different perspectives for analyzing literature, revealing deeper meanings.