Cultural Criticism in Literature

Cultural Criticism: Etymology/Term, Definition and Concept

Etymology/Term:

Cultural criticism is a compound term derived from “culture” and “criticism.” The word “culture” originates from the Latin “cultura,” meaning cultivation or tending, and has evolved to encompass the shared beliefs, customs, arts, and intellectual achievements of a society. “Criticism” comes from the Greek “kritikē,” referring to the act of judgment or discernment. Together, cultural criticism denotes the analysis and evaluation of cultural phenomena, employing a critical perspective to explore, question, and interpret various aspects of human expression and societal norms.

Definition:

Cultural criticism is a mode of intellectual inquiry that examines and critiques cultural artifacts, practices, and institutions. It involves a rigorous analysis of the underlying assumptions, power structures, and meanings embedded in cultural expressions such as art, literature, media, rituals, and social norms. This form of criticism seeks to unveil implicit biases, challenge dominant narratives, and explore how culture both reflects and shapes individual and collective identities. Cultural criticism is often interdisciplinary, drawing on insights from sociology, anthropology, literature, and other fields to provide a nuanced understanding of the complexities within a given cultural context.

Concept:

1. Interrogation of Norms: Cultural criticism involves a critical examination of societal norms, values, and conventions, aiming to uncover hidden biases and question the status quo.
2. Power Dynamics: The concept delves into power structures within culture, exploring how certain groups or ideologies exert influence, shaping narratives and perpetuating inequality.
3. Semiotics and Symbols: Cultural criticism utilizes semiotic analysis to deconstruct symbols and signs embedded in cultural products, revealing layers of meaning and ideological implications.
4. Identity Construction: Examining how cultural expressions contribute to the construction and negotiation of individual and collective identities, considering factors such as race, gender, class, and sexuality.
5. Media and Representation: A key focus is on critiquing media portrayals and representations, recognizing the role of media in shaping perceptions, reinforcing stereotypes, or challenging dominant narratives.
6. Global Perspectives: Cultural criticism extends beyond a narrow focus, considering global and cross-cultural influences, recognizing the interconnectedness of cultural phenomena in a rapidly changing world.

Cultural Criticism: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorist	Key Works	Main Arguments
Stuart Hall	Encoding/Decoding	Hall’s work emphasizes the decoding of media messages by audiences, highlighting the active role of viewers in interpreting and negotiating meanings within a cultural context.
Edward Said	Orientalism	Said’s seminal text critiques Western representations of the East, arguing that these representations are entangled with colonial power dynamics, shaping perceptions and reinforcing stereotypes.
Judith Butler	Gender Trouble	Butler’s work challenges traditional notions of gender, arguing that it is performative and socially constructed. Cultural norms and expectations play a crucial role in the formation of gender identities.
Michel Foucault	The Archaeology of Knowledge	Foucault’s approach involves analyzing the historical development of discourses and power structures, uncovering how institutions shape knowledge and control societal behavior.
bell hooks	Ain’t I a Woman?	hooks explores the intersectionality of race, class, and gender, critiquing the impact of oppressive systems on black women. She advocates for a transformative cultural criticism that addresses systemic inequalities.
Roland Barthes	Mythologies	Barthes investigates the myths present in everyday culture, revealing the ideological underpinnings of seemingly neutral symbols. He emphasizes the need to deconstruct cultural myths for a deeper understanding.
Gayatri Spivak	Can the Subaltern Speak?	Spivak’s work examines the representation of marginalized voices, particularly women in post-colonial contexts. She explores the challenges faced by subaltern groups in having their voices heard.
Cornel West	Race Matters	West’s cultural criticism centers on the intersections of race, class, and democracy. He argues for a renewed focus on addressing racial issues in order to achieve a more just and equitable society.

Cultural Criticism: Key Principals

• Deconstruction of Meaning:
  • Example: In “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, cultural criticism can deconstruct the meaning of the protagonist Holden Caulfield’s rebellious attitude, exploring how it challenges societal norms and reflects the disillusionment of the post-war era.
• Interrogation of Power Structures:
  • Example: George Orwell’s “1984” serves as a prime example for cultural criticism, as it delves into the oppressive power structures of a dystopian society, critiquing authoritarianism and surveillance culture.
• Examination of Symbolism and Semiotics:
  • Example: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” offers rich material for cultural criticism by analyzing the symbolism of the scarlet letter itself, exploring how it reflects societal attitudes towards morality and individual expression.
• Critique of Gender Norms:
  • Example: Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” becomes a focal point for cultural criticism as it critiques and satirizes traditional gender norms, exposing the dangers of a patriarchal society and the control of women’s bodies.
• Exploration of Identity Formation:
  • Example: In “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston, cultural criticism can analyze the protagonist Janie Crawford’s journey as a black woman in the early 20th century, exploring how societal expectations shape her identity.
• Analysis of Cultural Hegemony:
  • Example: Cultural criticism can be applied to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” unraveling the play’s exploration of political and cultural hegemony, revealing how power dynamics influence characters’ actions and decisions.
• Examination of Subaltern Voices:
  • Example: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” provides material for cultural criticism by examining the Nigerian-Biafran War and exploring the perspectives of individuals whose voices are often marginalized in historical narratives.
• Challenge to Dominant Narratives:
  • Example: Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” challenges dominant narratives surrounding slavery by offering a unique perspective on the psychological and emotional impact of the institution, prompting cultural criticism to question historical representations.

These examples illustrate how cultural criticism can be applied to literary works, revealing the underlying ideologies, power dynamics, and societal norms embedded within them.

Cultural Criticism: Application in Critiques

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
   • Cultural criticism can scrutinize the portrayal of the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby,” exploring how the novel reflects and critiques societal values, materialism, and the illusion of upward mobility. The extravagant lifestyle of Jay Gatsby and the characters’ pursuit of wealth offer a lens to analyze cultural expectations and the consequences of social aspirations in the Roaring Twenties.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee:
   • Cultural criticism applied to “To Kill a Mockingbird” can unravel the racial and social dynamics in the American South during the 1930s. The novel provides an opportunity to critique prevailing attitudes towards race, justice, and morality, examining how cultural norms shape characters’ beliefs and actions. The examination of Atticus Finch’s role as a moral compass and the portrayal of racial injustice opens avenues for cultural critique.
3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley:
   • Cultural criticism can dissect the dystopian society depicted in “Brave New World,” exploring how the novel critiques mass consumerism, technological control, and the dehumanization of individuals. The rigid caste system, pervasive use of drugs, and the commodification of human relationships serve as focal points for analyzing cultural values and the potential consequences of unchecked technological advancement.
4. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe:
   • Applying cultural criticism to “Things Fall Apart” involves examining the novel’s portrayal of pre-colonial Igbo society and its collision with colonial forces. The work provides an opportunity to critique cultural imperialism, the impact of colonization on indigenous cultures, and the tensions between tradition and change. The protagonist Okonkwo’s struggles and the portrayal of Igbo customs offer insights into cultural identity and resilience in the face of external pressures.

In each of these representative novels, cultural criticism can unveil the intricate layers of societal values, power structures, and ideological underpinnings, providing a deeper understanding of the cultural contexts embedded in the narratives.

Cultural Criticism: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Hegemony	Dominance by one group, shaping cultural norms and institutions.
Semiotics	Study of signs and symbols, vital for decoding cultural meanings.
Intersectionality	Examination of how social identities intersect, influencing privilege or oppression.
Cultural Imperialism	Imposition of one culture’s values on another, often through economic or political means.
Postcolonialism	Analysis of cultural impacts and legacies of colonial power dynamics.
Critical Discourse Analysis	Method to uncover power relationships and ideologies in language use.
Othering	Perception or portrayal of individuals or groups as fundamentally different, reinforcing social hierarchies.
Folk vs. Pop Culture	Distinguishing between traditional, community-based expressions (folk) and mass-produced, commercialized elements (pop).
Simulacra	Artificial representations or copies replacing or distorting reality, explored in media and consumer culture.
Cultural Hybridity	Blending elements from different cultures, challenging notions of purity and authenticity.

Cultural Criticism: Suggested Readings

1. Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Half of a Yellow Sun. Anchor Books, 2007.
2. Barthes, Roland. Mythologies. Hill and Wang, 2012.
3. Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble. Routledge, 2006.
4. Foucault, Michel. The Archaeology of Knowledge. Vintage Books, 2010.
5. Hall, Stuart. Encoding/Decoding. Routledge, 2017.
6. hooks, bell. Ain’t I a Woman?. South End Press, 1981.
7. Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006.
8. Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. HarperCollins, 2015.
9. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Vintage, 2004.
10. Orwell, George. 1984. Signet Classic, 1961.