Credit Value:             12

Module Tutor:           Shyam Hazari

Aims and Objectives:

This module, the first of two of its kind, aims to introduce students to a selection of prominent literary theories and criticism. Students will learn the Aristotelian notion that art is an imitation of life, consider Dryden’s critical evaluation of English literature through a debate pitting ancient against modern, and analyze Karl Marx’s theory that art transcends society. Such theories lie behind much of the literature studied on the programme. Students will be expected to re-examine literary texts with a view to interpreting them in the light of the literary theories introduced. They will also be expected to nurture the capacity to offer constructive criticism, pronouncing judgment on the merit or value of a work of literature.

Learning outcomes:

After the completion of this module students should be able to:

·         grasp the inter-relation between creative writing, literary criticism and literary theory.

·         comment on the nature and function of literature.

·         undertake diachronic study of literature, philosophy and ideas.

• demonstrate the concepts of Plato and Aristotle as- literature as imitation of life.

·         grasp  interrelationship between the ‘Rasa theory’ of Bharata and the Aristotlean concept of ‘Catharsis’

·         comment effectively on moral ,cultural and aesthetic aspects of creative literature,

·         reexamine literary texts with a view as reflected in the modern theories like Marxism, psychoanalysis.

·         nurture capacity to offer constructive criticism, analysis and interpretation.

·         offer analysis of a text under study on the basis of close reading assigned.

Subject Matter

1. Creative Literature:  Introduction; what is literature? Its nature and functions.
2. Literary Criticism: Its nature and functions.
3. Literary theory: Its nature and functions.
4. Plato’s  the Republic : Literature and Philosophy
5. Aristotle’s The Poetics: function of Literature i. e. Catharsis.
6. Bharata’s the Rasa Theory,
7. Sir Philip Sidney’s Defense of Poesie: The poet as a maker.
8. John Dryden: Psychological Realism
9. Matthew Arnold: Literature as criticism of life and the touch-stone method.
10. Marxist Approach to literature: Historical materialism, class- consciousness, the base-superstructure Theory, the class-conflict, the notions of Narodnost, Partinost, Klassovost, Russian realism, realism transcends the class interests.
11. Psychoanalysis and Literature: Interrelation between the Psychoanalysis (Mental therapy) and creative mind, the process of inspiration, Sigmund Freud’s notions of the unconsciousness, mental anatomy-the Id,  the Oedipus and the Electra complex, the Ego and the Super-Ego. The adolescent, day dream and sexual desire.

Teaching and Learning Approach

Lecture:     3hrs/wk

Tutorials:   1hr/wk (including discussions& presentations)

Assessment

1^st Assignment:     (800 - 1000 words)                  10%

2^nd Assignment:     (1500 - 2000 words)                20%

Oral Presentation:                                                 20%

Examination:                                                         50%

Total:                                                                     100 marks

Essential Reading

Arnold, M. The function of criticism at the present time.in Das,B. and Mohanty(Ed.)(1998). Literary criticism: A reading. OUP

Bharata. The Rasa Theory.in  Kane,P.V.(2002). History of Sanskrit Poetics.New Delhi: Motilal Banarasidas.

Dryden. An Essay on Dramatic Poesy.in Das,B. and Mohanty(Ed.)(1998). Literary criticism: A reading. OUP

Freud, S. Creative writer and day-dreams  in Lodge,D.(2007).Twentieth century literary criticism:A reader.Harlow:Pearson

Plato. Republic (Book X). Penguin Classics.

Read, H. The nature of criticism Das,B. and Mohanty(Ed.)(1998). Literary criticism: A reading. OUP

Sachs,J.(Tr.& Ed).  Aristotle’s. Poetics(2006) USA:Focus Publication.

Sidney. An apology for poetry.in  Das,B. and Mohanty(Ed.)(1998). Literary criticism: A reading. OUP

Trilling, L. Freud and literature.in Lodge,D.(2007).Twentieth century literary criticism:A reader.Harlow:Pearson

            Wiliams, R..(1977). Marxism and  literature. Oxford:OUP

      Suggested Reading:

Abrams, M.H. (2001). The mirror and the lamp. London: OUP

Das,B. And Mohanty(Ed.)(1998). Literary criticism: A reading. OUP

Devy’ G. N. (ed.).(2002)    Indian literary criticism: Theory and interpretation. Hyderabad: Orient Longman

Eagleton, T. (2006). Literary theory: An introduction. UK:Pearson

Panja, S. (2001). Critical theory and textual application, New Delhi: Worldview Publication.

Selden,R. (n.d.). A students’ guide to contemporary literary theories.

             Williams, R. (n.d.). Marxism and literature

“Critical reading: An introduction to literary theory and criticism” at

http://mesastate.edu/~blaga/theoryindex/theoryhomex.html