Liberal Humanism

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Etymology and Meanings of “Liberal Humanism” Literary Theory

The literary theory “Liberal Humanism” is also known as “Humanism Literary Theory” or “Humanism in Literary Theory” or “British Humanism.” It means a belief that values based on humanity are more important than religious dogmas, or creeds, and desires of human beings. These values must be upheld before other values. Therefore, any such ethical framework based on these values is actually a universal framework. In literature, it is a mode of inquiry that has emerged in Italy but spread to Europe and other European countries. It means that the western belief system is humanistic, and universal. Hence, it is applicable to all literary texts.

Definition of “Liberal Humanism” Literary Theory

Liberal humanism as a literary theory could be defined a theoretical perspective of approach that shows the universality of cultures, human beings, settings and thematic strands in all the literary texts disregard of the difference of cultures, human beings, views, ideas or even religions etc.

Origin of “Liberal Humanism” Literary Theory

The literary theory of “Humanism,” emerged from Italy, and spread throughout the world. It emerged in the United Kingdom during the 1840s. Its foundation was on the belief that the study and reading of literature make a person free from bad habits and bad ideas. This study connects human beings to enduring human values that are universal and the same everywhere. In fact, the major idea behind liberal Humanism was to instill middle-class values in the public and create a class that supports the British value system.

Principles of “British/Liberal Humanism” Literary Theory

1. Literary pieces are timeless and important everywhere. They are universal and have the same meanings of humanity and human values for everybody.
2. A literary text has universal meanings applicable to every culture.
3. The best way to read a literary text is to read it without assumptions.
4. A literary text comprises its own universal truths about human nature which is always constant and unchanging.
5. A text has the same meanings for all individuals.
6. A literary piece has the purpose to spread humane values.
7. Form and content in a literary piece are integral parts.
8. A literary work always contains truth.
9. A literary piece always shows our true nature which is valuable.
10. The subject of interpretation is always the text.

Examples of “Liberal Humanism” Literary Theory in Literary Pieces

1. Meursault in The Stranger by Albert Camus

Although the novel The Stranger by Camus is termed an absurd novel or a narrative of absurdity, it has some elements of liberal humanism. Meursault, the main narrator, demonstrates these points at various places in the text.

At one point, he says “I said that I didn’t believe in God. He wanted to know if I was sure and I said that I didn’t see any reason to ask myself that question; it seemed unimportant.”

This dialog of Meursault shows that he thinks that human nature is the same. It is unchanging and cannot change, while the chaplain, who is talking to him, also assumes that human nature is the same and that he should accept his proposition.

2. Liberal Humanism in The Passage to India by E. M. Foster

Among all the Britishers living in the town of Chandrapore as shown by Foster in his novel, A Passage to India, Cyril Fielding is the one who develops very easy and comfortable relationships with Indians. It shows the universal nature of human beings that is constant and same everywhere. If measured on this yardstick, the character of Aziz is also the same that he cultivates an easy friendship with other characters, including the Britishers.

3. Liberal Humanism in “A Poison” Tree by William Blake

I was angry with my friend;

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,

Night & morning with my tears:

And I sunned it with smiles,

And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night.

Till it bore an apple bright.

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole,

When the night had veiled the pole;

In the morning glad I see;

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

If the first and second tenets given above from Peter Berry are applied to this poem, the shows that it has meanings about human nature that are of hatred and jealousy. In other words, this poem has its own meanings setting aside the nature and character of its writer as well as the time when it was written or the context and the circumstances. It shows universal human nature or the assumption of liberal humanism literary theory that human nature is universal and that the objective of this piece is to spread these values that human beings should not cultivate hatred and form good relationships with each other.

Criticism of “Liberal Humanism” Literary Theory

1. T. S. Eliot and Ezra Pound argue that liberal humanism is sentimental, while Ezra Pound terms it as “an old bitch gone in the teeth.”
2. The nation of humanity is overarching and abstract that is subject to transformation in different circumstances.
3. Liberal human causes “othering” of other races.
4. It has placed attributes based on assumptions that could be true or false.
5. Words have different meanings for different people subject to language, people, culture, values, upbringing, and ethical framework.
6. Truth does not have any definite definition and it is subject to ideologies.
7. All literature is ideological.

Suggestion Readings

Berry, Peter. Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Culture Today. Manchester University Press, 2002. Print.

Bertans, Hans. Literary Theory: The Basics. Routledge, 2007. Print. Kellner, Douglas, and Tyson Lewis. “Liberal humanism and the European critical tradition.” The SAGE Handbook of Social Science Methodology (2007): 405-422.