The Criticism Of John Crowe Ransom - 2127 Words

New Criticism critics such John Crowe Ransom believe that a literary text is meant to be treated as autonomous and independent from any extrinsic sources . They believe that everything that is needed to understand a text is located within the text itself. New Criticism Critics advocated for a close reading of the text that closely analyzed form and technique. Ransom in his article Critics Inc redefines literary criticism in accordance with the New Criticism literary theory. Although he does admit that historical studies are indispensable he claims that it is merely instrumental and cannot an end itself. Even though he recognizes the importance of historical studies he argues that historical studies should be excluded from analysis. It is true that there is a lot to gain from analyzing and paying close attention to form, literary devices and techniques that are incorporated within a poem and a certain level of knowledge of the poem can be found solely within the poem. However, limi ting oneself to analyzing only what is within the poem also limits ones understanding and interpretation of the poem. Relying on extrinsic as well as intrinsic factors relating to a poem enables the critic or the reader to gain a different interpretation from the one that would have been derived by merely looking at the intrinsic factors. A poem such as Langton Hughes The Negro Speaks of Rivers although could be understood by simply looking at the poem itself, so much is left out if oneShow MoreRelatedBells for John Whitesides Daughter by John Crowe Ransom873 Words   |  3 PagesJohn Crowe Ransom was one of the most influential writers of his time. As a poet, essayist, and teacher at Vanderbilt University and Kenyon College, Ransom was one of the prominent leaders of the Fugitive Agrarians and the founder of the New Criticism school of literary criticism and the literary journal, Kenyon Review. His works fall into many different literary movements but the majority of his poems fa ll within the Fugitive-Agrarianism, now known as the Southern Renaissance, movement that emphasizedRead More New Criticism of Cry, the Beloved Country Essay988 Words   |  4 PagesNew Criticism of Cry, the Beloved Country   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton can be effectively analyzed using the theory of New Criticism. When beginning to look at the text one must remember not to any attempt to look at the author’s relationship to the work, which is called intentional fallacy or make any attempt to look at the reader’s response to the work, which is called the affective fallacy. First, the central theme of the book must be recognized. In this book the centralRead More Piazza Piece by John Crowe Ransom1546 Words   |  7 PagesPoetry is a condensed form of language. It says very much in very few words. The ways that make possible this â€Å"linguistic economy† are many. Let us take John Crowe Ransom’s â€Å"Piazza Piece† for example and see the various ways in which the poet has managed to enrich his meaning. Here is the text of the poem: Piazza Piece --I am a gentleman in a dustcoat trying To make you hear. Your ears are soft and small And listen to an old man not at all; They want the young men’s whisperingRead MoreThe New Criticism, Structuralism, New Historical And African American Criticism1991 Words   |  8 Pagesis aimed to conduct an explanation introduction in four definitions, New Criticism, Structuralism, New Historical and African-American criticism. The paper will be divided into three parts, definitions, the comparison of their difference and the conclusion. 1. Definition New Criticism The word New Criticism was appearing on the book, The New Criticism, written by John Crowe Ransom. 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He maintains the four line stressRead MoreBrief Survey of American Literature3339 Words   |  14 PagesAmerican / American Indian oral literature / oral tradition creation storiesï ¼Ë†Ã¨ µ ·Ã¦ º Ã§ ¥Å¾Ã¨ ¯ Ã¯ ¼â€° trickster talesï ¼Ë†Ã¦  ¶Ã¤ ½Å"å‰ §Ã¨â‚¬â€¦Ã¤ ¼  Ã¥ ¥â€¡Ã¯ ¼â€° rituals / ceremoniesï ¼Ë†Ã¥â€¦ ¸Ã¤ » ªÃ¯ ¼â€° songs / chantsï ¼Ë†Ã¦â€º ²Ã¨ ¯ Ã¯ ¼â€° Anglo Settlers’ Writings Highly religious and pragmatic - John Smith, founder of Jamestown, Virginia; Pocahontas - John Winthrop, â€Å"A Model of Christian Charity†: â€Å"†¦ We shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us†¦Ã¢â‚¬  - William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation (1630-50, pub. 1856) - Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)Read MoreCleanth Brookss Essay Irony as a Principle of Structure9125 Words   |  37 Pagesdramatic forms also seems somewhat irrelevant to the contemporary Roman literary scene of his day. However, the lively autobiographical approach of the â€Å"Ars Poetica† and its expression of personal standards in literature make it unique as a work of criticism in the ancient world.A few quotes in particular from the work have passed into common literary parlance, including: â€Å"in medias res† (literally, â€Å"in the middle of things†, describing a popular narrative technique that appears frequently in ancient