What is a Literary Theory?

Definition of Literary Theory

Literary theory means a theory that is applied to a literary text. In other words, it means to point out theoretical principles that govern a piece of literature. It is the practice of theoretical, sociological, and methodological perspectives that emerge out of the reading, interpretation, and analysis of that specific text. They could be the result of the reader’s assumptions, or they could be the writer’s underlying thoughts.

It could be defined in another way. There are certain propositions or suppositions or a set of assumptions that help an individual understand social concepts. If readers find the same concepts in the literary texts and these concepts come up to the yardstick of those assumptions they harbor in their minds, it means it is the application of the theoretical perspective on that text.

What Does Literary Theory Mean?

Literary theory is made up of two words. In this phrase, literary means something that is part of the vast body of literature. The theory here means a process, methodological way, procedure, or a set of organized methods used to explain, analyze, interpret, explicate, or unravel something literary in nature. Therefore, here “literary theory” means the interpretation of literary pieces according to some tools, underlying principles, or set of assumptions based on which students and critics of literature interpret literary pieces. The theory may seem a smorgasbord from where some assumptions are borrowed and hypothesized to justify interpretations and explications of a literary piece. In other words, it is an attempt to form a relationship between the author with his work through these justifications. In fact, it emerges from the piece of literature and its language with reference to its relevance to the time and space of the culture, society, and the era in which the author writes it.

There are various such approaches using which a reader can approach a text. Readers could form assumptions before reading texts, or come up with new theoretical perspectives after going through the piece.

How is Literary Theory Formed?

Theory, as defined above, is a set of principles or suppositions of a system of ideas that have an underlying common strain. It could be a set on which a common practice depends for its explanation. It could be a set of ideas used for the justification of logical reasoning to provide evidence. These are also called conceptual frameworks, theoretical perspectives, or theoretical lenses when used in literary critique. Or they could also be called critical approaches. Generally, it is also called critical theory and could be associated with any other sub-theme when required such as race critical theory or indigenous critical theory.

These approaches of literary theory are based on different elements; holistic cultural atmosphere, social preferences about class, race, gender, tribes, families, governments, politics, and even the arena of international relations. This approach could be historical, linguistic, social, political, apolitical, etc. Even sometimes it intends to focus on minor elements of a text that interprets culture and impacts culture in turn such as identity, subjectivity, sexuality, power, discourse, utterances, subjection, cruelty, or patience, and other such abstract emotions or concepts. Briefly, now a theoretical understanding is considered the study of a text within the given cultural setting, and its likely or intended impacts on different cultural aspects.

Difference Between Theory and Criticism

Criticism was simple and practical long before the introduction of theoretical interpretations. The reason is that the critics used either the personality of the writer, his/her biography, or his/her social environment to interpret literary pieces without knowing these specific approaches. Sometimes only the biographical details and situations of the writers were considered enough. Later this trend turned to written works only.

A few decades back, a critic used to interpret a poem for its merits or demerits. However, it occurred to the sanguine readers that poetry has something more than poetic structures and expressions of emotions. The questions of real meanings with the author, the readers, the language, or the use of literary language went unanswered. Then theoretical concepts led the critics to use them for understanding literary works and interpreting them. This led to the use of literary theory which is a combination of two words; literary, an adjective, and theory, a noun.

Some Important Literary Theories

This is not an exhaustive list of theories now in use in critiquing literary texts. However, this list can show underlying assumptions/suppositions or ideas to systematically apply them to the texts.

1. Liberal Humanism: Based on some assumptions that humanism is a universal term and that it applies with the same universal assumptions to every literary text.
2. Formalism: It means to approach a text with forms and structures.
3. New Criticism: It also means the same as formalism. Only that its origin was the United States.
4. Marxism: It shows the use of the Marxian principle in interpreting works.
5. Structuralism: It shows structures used for interpreting works. It is also considered an extension of formalism.
6. New Historicism or Cultural Materialism: It considers culture, social fabric, and era as the underlying motives behind the text.
7. Feminism: It uses feministic trends and assumptions to interest texts.
8. Postcolonial Theory: It shows the use of power, social structure, subjectivity, and other such relations to interpret texts written following a colonial retreat or during this era.
9. Gender Studies: It falls under feminism, queer theory, racial critical theory, and even indigenous theoretical approach.

How to Apply Literary Theory

1. Select a Literary Theory: Choose a specific literary theory or critical approach that you want to apply to the literary work. Common literary theories include:
   • Feminist Theory
   • Marxist Theory
   • Psychoanalytic Theory
   • Postcolonial Theory
   • Structuralism
   • Reader-Response Theory
   • Deconstruction
   • New Criticism
2. Read the Literary Work: Thoroughly read and analyze the literary work to familiarize yourself with its content, themes, characters, and narrative structure.
3. Identify Key Elements: Identify key elements within the literary work that are relevant to the chosen literary theory. These elements may include:
   • Characterization
   • Setting
   • Plot
   • Symbols
   • Themes
   • Narrative perspective
   • Language and style
4. Research the Literary Theory: Gain a deep understanding of the chosen literary theory by researching its key concepts, principles, and prominent scholars. Be sure to consider how the theory approaches literature and its interpretation.
5. Analyze the Work Through the Lens of the Theory: Apply the concepts and principles of the chosen literary theory to the elements you’ve identified in the literary work. Consider how the theory can shed new light on the text and offer unique insights.
6. Create a Thesis Statement: Formulate a clear thesis statement that outlines the main argument or interpretation of the literary work based on the application of the chosen literary theory. This statement should highlight the theory’s impact on your analysis.
7. Provide Textual Evidence: Support your analysis with relevant textual evidence from the literary work. Quote specific passages that illustrate the points you are making and connect them to the theory.
8. Explore Themes and Patterns: Investigate how the literary theory reveals underlying themes and patterns in the text. Analyze how the theory shapes your interpretation and brings out hidden meanings.
9. Consider Counterarguments: Acknowledge potential counterarguments or alternative interpretations that may arise from different literary theories. Address these perspectives to strengthen your analysis.
10. Discuss Implications: Reflect on the broader implications of your analysis. How does the application of the literary theory influence our understanding of the literary work and its socio-cultural context?
11. Write an Analytical Essay: Organize your findings and insights into a well-structured analytical essay that follows a logical progression and includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
12. Edit and Revise: Carefully edit and revise your essay to ensure clarity, coherence, and proper citation of sources.
13. Incorporate Scholarly Sources: If applicable, incorporate scholarly articles, books, or critical essays related to the chosen literary theory to support your analysis.
14. Cite Your Sources: Use the appropriate citation style (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago) to cite both the literary work and any secondary sources you’ve consulted.
15. Proofread and Finalize: Review your essay for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors, and make any necessary revisions before submitting your analysis of the literary work.

Suggested Readings

• Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. John Wiley & Sons, 2011. Print.
• Hawthorn, Jeremy. A Concise Glossary of Contemporary Literary Theory. London: Edward Arnold, 1992. Print.
• Selden, Raman, Peter Widdowson, and Peter Brooker. A Reader’s Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory. Routledge, 2013. Print.