NEW CRITICISM

1. What is new criticism? 

Ans: The literary criticism that focuses on "objective" and "close reading" of a text is know as new criticism. New criticism was most dominant literary criticism from1940s to 1960. It highlights the importance of 'textual criticism from evidence' to interpret a text. The use of concrete and specific examples from the text itself validate our interpretation. To make any meaning you need to quote some words or phrases as textual evidences.

It challenges psychological interpretation model between the author and text. It highlights for close reading of the text alone. It is an structuralism in the sense that new criticism isolates and studies a literary work individually. Structuralism focuses on one text's relation to other texts of that time and type. The basic slogans and features of new criticism are as follow:
1. "The text itself" 

2. Literary language
3. Organic unity
4. New criticism as intrinsic criticism 

5. New criticism as Objective criticism
6. New criticism as single best interpretation

The major new critics are Cleanth Brooks, J. C. Ransom, W. K. T. S. Eliot and Wimsatt. 

2. Briefly discuss the major features of 'New Criticism.'

Ans: The basic slogans and features of new criticism are as follow: 

1. The text itself: The interpretation must be made of the text itself. Do
not link to the author's biography or reader's response. Text itself is enough for meaning. Authorial intention creates the fallacy/problem of authorial intention. Focus on readers' response also creates problem
called affective fallacy. 

2. Literary language: Language of a literary text is different from
scientific text. It is literary. It has figurative language like metaphors, symbols, similes, images and allegories. It is beautiful, aesthetic, sweet or emotional. Meaning is not denotative but it is connotative. Paradox, irony, ambiguity and tensions are the linguistic devices used in literary
work accordirg to new critics. 

3. Organic unity: The literary text is organic. All the parts are working
together to make a whole. There is complex relationship between the parts of the text to make a whole. Form and content are united and fitted. All the parts of it make it a whole like walls, windows, doors, structure, and texture making a building. 

4. New criticism as Intrinsic criticism: New criticism focuses on
intrinsic meaning of the text. Intrinsic means the meaning is 'within it.' Therefore do not go out to the author or the reader to find meaning. Internal relation between formal elements makes the meaning clear of a text. 

5. New criticism as Objective criticism: New criticism is the single and
most objective method of interpretation. It is universal. You cannot make a meaning without reading the 'text.' There is only one authentic
meaning in one text.

6. New criticism as single best interpretation: Since it is based on close
reading of the actual text it is the best interpretation. It is the most accurate than other psychological, reader response or Marxist reading.

It is most suitable to interpret poems and short stories. It discourages those who talk about the texts without actually reading.