Exploring Theory

Short Essay #5 Exploring Theory

In the 20^th century, literary criticismexploded into multiple fields of study. From the typical close reading andhistorical approaches came a variety of cultural criticisms: Feminist, Colonial,Post-Colonial, Animal Studies, Disability Studies, etc.There was a parallel explosion in Linguistic criticism: Structuralism, Post-Structuralism,Deconstruction, etc.

These criticisms or theoretical approaches toliterature chose to look at literature through different lenses. This allowedliterary scholars to consider things like the impact of non-human characters inliterature; the treatment of disabled characters; the role of women; etc.

For this assignment, you will explore one of thesetheories. You will start by reading an in-depth explanation of the theory youchoose. From there, you will write 500 words covering any number of concernsabout the theory:

      What do you understand about the application ofthis critical theory?

      Why do you think it is or is not important?

      In what general ways can one apply this theory?

      Discuss a way to apply your theory to a specificpiece of literature.

You will find the different literary theories through a linkposted on our Blackboard site. Click Content -> Online ReferenceMaterial -> Schools of Theory.