Understanding Literary Theory and Criticism

In this video, Masood Raja explains the differences between literary theory and literary criticism. Literary theory is described as a body of ideas and methods used to understand literature, focusing on the underlying principles and tools for interpretation. It draws from various disciplines like sociology and anthropology. Literary criticism, on the other hand, traditionally involves interpreting a text's form and content. The video highlights that modern criticism is often informed by theory, making pure criticism without theoretical influence rare. The video concludes with examples of how theory can change the reading of a text.

What is the main purpose of the video?

• To explore the history of literature

• To distinguish between literary theory and criticism

• To discuss famous literary works

• To analyze a specific novel

Which source is used for the definition of literary theory?

• Britannica

• Oxford Dictionary

• Wikipedia

• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

What does literary theory focus on?

• The historical context of a text

• The biography of authors

• The underlying principles and methods for understanding literature

• The meaning of a specific text

Which disciplines can contribute to contemporary literary theory?

• Physics and Chemistry

• Mathematics and Statistics

• Biology and Medicine

• Sociology and Anthropology

What is the role of post-colonial theories in literary theory?

• To explore colonialism and its impact on human subjectivities

• To study the evolution of language

• To focus on the economic aspects of literature

• To analyze the grammatical structure of texts

What was the traditional focus of literary criticism?

• Interpreting the text's form and content

• Analyzing the author's life

• Studying the reader's response

• Examining the text's publication history

How did traditional literary criticism differ from literary theory?

• It focused on the author's intentions

• It worked within the text to interpret meaning

• It ignored the text's historical context

• It emphasized the reader's perspective

What is a key characteristic of classical literary criticism?

• It explores the text's philosophical aspects

• It emphasizes the reader's interpretation

• It focuses on the text's mechanics and form

• It questions the text's validity

What is the relationship between literary criticism and theory today?

• Criticism is completely separate from theory

• Criticism has replaced theory

• Criticism is often informed by theory

• Criticism ignores theoretical perspectives

What does the speaker suggest about pure literary criticism?

• It is still widely practiced

• It is impossible without theory

• It focuses solely on the author's life

• It is the most effective form of criticism