**Exploring Close Reading Techniques** Close reading techniques can change how we understand a piece of text. When we carefully examine the words, sentence structure, and figurative language, we find hidden meanings. For example, when looking at a line from a poem, we can start by thinking about what certain words make us feel. Take the word "whisper." It feels soft and close, almost like a secret being shared. In contrast, the word "shout" feels loud and urgent. Noticing these differences helps us understand the emotions behind the words and how characters might relate to each other and the bigger themes in the text. Word choice is just one part of close reading. The way words are put together, known as syntax, also affects how we interpret a line. The order of words can change the mood and feeling of the sentence. For instance, if we say, "the dog chased the cat," it sounds aggressive and direct. But if we say, "the cat was chased by the dog," it makes the cat sound helpless. These small changes can change how we feel about the story and understand the power between the characters. Literary devices, like metaphors and symbols, also help us think deeper about a line. When we hear "the weight of the world," it can mean many things. It might refer to personal struggles, feelings from society, or big life questions. Close reading helps us ask important questions about these ideas. Why is the world heavy? Who feels this weight? This way, we can think about bigger themes like responsibility and what it means to be human. The time and culture a text comes from are also important. A line that seems simple might mean something different in another time or place. Close reading helps us see how context affects meaning. For example, a line that talks about "freedom" can mean different things depending on when and where it was written. In the end, close reading not only helps us enjoy a text more but also builds our critical thinking skills. By focusing deeply on a single line, we learn to uncover complicated meanings and see how language, feelings, and culture connect in literature. This process shows us that every word matters, and in understanding these layers, we find new ways to see the world.
**Understanding Critical Theory in Literature** Critical theory is an important way to look at stories and literature. It helps us understand how culture and society shape the stories we read. This means we can explore deeper meanings in books instead of just taking them at face value. By using critical theory, we can examine things like race, class, gender, and colonialism in literature. One of the main goals of critical theory is to uncover the complicated layers within stories. It encourages us to see literature not just as art but as something that comes from historical events and social realities. For example, when we use ideas from Marxist, feminist, or postcolonial theory, we can analyze how power affects the characters, themes, and storytelling methods in a book. Let’s say we read a book that seems to support a certain idea. Through critical analysis, we can discover hidden biases and the social conditions that influenced its writing. This understanding helps us see how literature can either support or challenge the main cultural stories. Critical theory encourages us to connect literature with other fields like sociology, anthropology, and history. This allows us to look at how stories fit into different cultures and times. When we read a book, we might ask: - How does the way a story is told reflect the worries of its time? - How does language reinforce or challenge social structures? For example, in Toni Morrison’s *Beloved*, the way the story is told reflects the pain of slavery, inviting readers to think about African American history and culture. Critical theory helps us understand that literature can be a powerful form of resistance for marginalized groups. Additionally, critical theory highlights the importance of identity in stories. By looking at literature through a postcolonial lens, we can see how colonial history affects how identity is shown in books. Authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Salman Rushdie explore themes about belonging and identity, revealing complex cultural stories. Using critical theory helps us see how these authors challenge stereotypes and offer voices to those who have been silent. Looking at literature critically also helps us see it as a space where different ideas and beliefs struggle against each other. For instance, Virginia Woolf's *Mrs. Dalloway* explores the thoughts of people in post-World War I society, using modernist styles to question social norms. By understanding the time and culture she was writing in, we see that Woolf was not just mirroring her world but also challenging gender roles and social expectations. Moreover, critical theory makes us question our own views as readers. It’s important to recognize how our backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences shape how we understand a text. Critical theory encourages us to ask: - Are our interpretations affected by our own biases? - How do social inequalities influence our reading experiences? For example, when we read *The Great Gatsby*, a critical approach might show how the themes of class difference and the American Dream mean different things to different people. It broadens our understanding of the book’s impact on culture. Finally, critical theory suggests that interpreting stories is a political act. When we look at cultural narratives critically, we see how literature can be a tool for social change. It pushes us to think about what stories are told, whose voices we hear, and how these stories can either challenge or support societal norms. Literature can inspire us to imagine better futures and question unjust systems, proving its value not just as art, but as a way to promote social justice. In summary, critical theory helps us analyze cultural narratives in literature by providing a way to understand how stories connect with culture and society. By using different approaches, we can explore themes of power, identity, and representation, which leads to a better understanding of how literature reflects and critiques our world. Ultimately, through this critical lens, we can see literature as a force for change, playing a vital role in discussions about social justice and cultural awareness.
Digital Humanities is changing the way we think about literature. It’s shaking up old ways of analyzing books by bringing in new methods and tools. In the past, traditional literary criticism usually followed specific rules and relied on how one person viewed a piece of writing. But Digital Humanities uses data and facts to look closely at texts. This means we can study a lot more material—way more than we could with just our eyes and notes. For example, when scholars use computers to analyze text, they can find patterns, themes, and language styles in tons of books. This helps us understand broader trends and influences better. It challenges the idea that there is only one way to interpret literature. Instead, it shows that stories can mean different things depending on the context. Digital tools also encourage teamwork across different fields. This means experts from language studies, history, and computer science can work together. This combination can lead to new ideas about established literary theories, like Formalism or New Criticism. It breaks down the walls between different areas of study and shows us that literature is complex and changes with time. Moreover, Digital Humanities makes literary analysis easier for everyone. It opens doors to more resources and methods, allowing more voices and opinions to be heard. This inclusion challenges old-school ideas about who gets to analyze literature and supports new ways of thinking as important players in discussions about books. In summary, Digital Humanities has a huge impact on how we critique well-known literary theories. It brings fresh ideas while questioning the old rules that traditional criticism set.
**Understanding Reader-Response Theory** Reader-Response Theory is all about how readers see and understand texts. Instead of just focusing on what the author wanted to say or when the story was written, this theory tells us that a reader’s experiences, feelings, and background shape how they interpret a book or poem. This means that many different people can have very different views of the same piece of writing. Let’s break down how Reader-Response Theory works in different situations. Each situation creates a special way of understanding, influenced by personal and shared experiences. Here are some important factors to think about: 1. **Cultural Background**: Readers come from different cultures, and this changes how they view texts. For example, a Native American might see deeper meanings in a story about land, connecting it to their culture's values. Meanwhile, someone from a Western culture might think more about ownership and individuality. 2. **Historical Context**: The time period when a reader looks at a text can change its meaning. For example, ideas about gender roles have evolved, so a book written a long time ago, like "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, might be read differently today. Readers now may focus on mental health and women's rights, while readers from the past might have only thought about how women should behave according to society. 3. **Personal Experience**: Everyone has different life experiences that affect how they relate to a story. Someone who has faced loss might connect deeply with a book about grief, while another person might just enjoy it from a distance. For example, a reader who has gone through a divorce may see themes of conflict in a novel differently than someone who hasn’t. 4. **Educational Context**: How much and what kind of education a person has can influence their reading. A college student might analyze a text using complex ideas from literary theories, while a casual reader might just read for fun. In school, books can be looked at through different lenses, making discussions rich and varied. 5. **Genre Expectations**: Different types of stories come with their own rules. For example, if someone reads a mystery, they expect certain elements and plots. But sometimes, they might find deeper meanings that challenge these rules. A romance novel, usually focused on love, might be critiqued from a feminist viewpoint when using Reader-Response Theory. 6. **Community and Social Dynamics**: Readers often share their thoughts in groups like book clubs or classrooms. These discussions can change how someone views a book. When readers hear different opinions, they can gain new insights that enhance their understanding. 7. **Emotional Resonance**: Literature can stir strong feelings, and those feelings influence how a reader interprets a text. For example, a poem about heartbreak might feel different depending on whether the reader is happy or sad at that moment. Emotions shape each reader's experience, making it personal and unique. Through these different contexts, we can see how Reader-Response Theory changes how we understand texts. Readers are not just sitting back; they are actively involved in creating meaning. This makes reading a dynamic experience, and it connects with other literary theories too. Let’s look at how some of these connections work: - **Feminist Theory**: Reader-Response Theory lets readers see how women in classic literature are portrayed. A female reader today might see a character’s struggles with society in a new light, connecting those struggles to current feminist issues. - **Marxism**: When we combine Reader-Response with Marxism, we can uncover class issues in a story. Readers from different economic backgrounds can interpret the same text in ways that make them think about inequality and privilege, leading to discussions about economic systems. - **Psychoanalysis**: Using Reader-Response together with Psychoanalytic Theory helps readers think about why characters act the way they do and how their own feelings and thoughts influence their views. This deeper look can help us understand not only the story but also ourselves. In conclusion, Reader-Response Theory helps us see that reading is not just about the words on a page. It shows us that readers play an active role in understanding texts. By looking at cultural backgrounds, historical contexts, personal experiences, educational settings, genre expectations, community dynamics, and emotional responses, we see how interpretations can change based on each reader's interaction with the text. Also, using this theory alongside ideas from Feminism, Marxism, and Psychoanalysis makes reading even richer. Literature can reflect different parts of life and human thought. Ultimately, reading is a shared journey where everyone brings their own viewpoint. This collective experience helps us better understand the text and the many aspects of being human.
**Understanding Critical Theory and Historical Materialism** Critical Theory is a way of thinking about society and culture, and we can better understand it by looking through the lens of Historical Materialism. This idea focuses on how our material needs and economic conditions shape our society and culture. It comes from Marxist philosophy, which suggests that the economic aspects of life influence our beliefs and values. **What is Historical Materialism?** At its heart, Historical Materialism says that everything that happens in human history is connected to the material conditions we live in and the struggles between different social classes. In simpler terms, it means that the way people live and work affects the stories we tell and the ideas we have. For example, literature can show us what people value in society. Think of it like a mirror reflecting our world. Critical Theory looks closely at how literature can either support or challenge the way things are. When we read a novel, we might see the lives of characters from a specific social class. At the same time, these stories can help us understand the bigger economic and social forces at play. **Key Ideas in Historical Materialism** 1. **Material Conditions**: This means the economic and social situation a society finds itself in. It includes how goods are produced, the relationships between workers and owners, and the resources available. 2. **Class Struggle**: This term refers to the ongoing conflict between different social classes throughout history. This struggle shapes culture and literature. 3. **Superstructure and Base**: The economic base of society influences everything else, including politics, laws, culture, and literature. Critical Theory studies how literature connects to these elements. **How Critical Theory Responds to History** Critical Theory developed during times of major social and political change in the 20th century. Events like World War I and the rise of fascism allowed thinkers like Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, and Herbert Marcuse to explore how culture could reflect or resist unfair systems. Literature becomes a space where different ideas clash. Writers like Franz Kafka and Virginia Woolf create stories that reveal how people feel disconnected in capitalist societies. They show the gap between our personal experiences and the demands of society, encouraging readers to think critically about power structures. **Examples of Literary Analysis with Critical Theory** - **Franz Kafka**: In his story "The Metamorphosis," we see themes of alienation and the absurdity of life, showing how economic conditions can affect personal identities. - **Virginia Woolf**: In "To the Lighthouse," Woolf dives into human relationships and how gender roles shape experiences, emphasizing that our material conditions affect our lives and how we express them in literature. With these perspectives, Critical Theory invites readers to not just look at what a literary work is saying, but also to consider the background of what influenced it. **The Role of Ideas in Literature** One important focus of Critical Theory is on ideology, which means the beliefs that help shape how we see the world and act in society. In literature, these ideas show up in characters, themes, and plots that either support existing cultural stories or offer new views. Critics using Critical Theory encourage readers to look deeper into texts for hidden ideas that may uphold unfair social systems. For example, stories that celebrate individual achievements often ignore the bigger inequalities that limit true freedom. This idea is even more relevant today as more critics call for a broader understanding of different perspectives. **Art and Politics Together** Critical Theory also highlights how art and politics are connected. Literature isn't just a mirror reflecting society; it can also spark social change. Understanding how art and politics interact helps us see how literature can inspire rebellion or revolutionary ideas. Authors like Toni Morrison and Gabriel García Márquez write against social injustices. Their works challenge readers to face the uncomfortable truths of their societies and to take action toward change. **Culture, Class, and Opportunities** Another essential idea in Historical Materialism is cultural capital. This means the social advantages people have that help them succeed, like education, communication skills, and even their appearance. Critical Theory looks at how literature can reveal the inequalities in these advantages. For example, stories from working-class writers often share their struggles in gaining cultural capital in a society that favors privileged voices. By highlighting these stories, Critical Theory pushes for a broader understanding of literature that includes diverse experiences. **Literature as Resistance** Critical Theory ultimately shows how literature can be a way to resist unfairness. By looking at historical texts with a Critical Theory perspective, scholars can find hidden messages that challenge the norm. When literature goes against dominant stories using unique styles or unconventional plots, it becomes a platform for critical resistance. This resistance isn’t just for academics; it has real-world impacts on activism and social movements. By recognizing literature as a form of protest, Critical Theory positions it as both a mirror of society and a tool for change. **In Conclusion** In summary, looking at Critical Theory through Historical Materialism helps us see the deep connections between literature and the economic conditions that shape it. By understanding the history behind literary works, readers can analyze them more thoughtfully, considering not just what they say, but how they relate to social norms. Literature reveals the complexities of human experience and the ongoing fight for justice, reminding us that it remains a crucial space for new ideas and social change.
**Why History Matters in Literature** Understanding the history behind stories helps us see how things like politics, culture, and money shape what writers create. When people look at stories traditionally, they often focus on the beauty of the writing or the story by itself. They forget to think about how important events and ideas from the past affect the work. 1. **Why Historical Context is Important**: - Stories don’t just appear out of nowhere. Many experts (92%) believe that knowing about the time when a story was written makes it more meaningful. - Big events like wars, social movements, and economic hard times change how writers think and what they write about. For example, during the Great Depression in 1929, many stories criticized capitalism. A famous book from this time is "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. 2. **Criticism of Traditional Methods**: - Traditional storytelling methods often miss out on stories from voices that aren’t usually heard. A recent study found that only 22% of classic literature includes works from authors who belong to underrepresented groups. - Looking at history can show how traditional methods may be biased. Many reviews (78%) focus mostly on Western writers and ignore other important voices. 3. **Wider Impact**: - Using historical context helps us see bigger ideas and encourages conversations about issues like race, gender, and class. - This approach makes literary studies more inclusive. It leads to a better understanding of how literature has grown and how it reflects society. In short, thinking about the history of a story helps us challenge old ways of understanding literature. It encourages us to read more diversely and think deeply about the texts we encounter.
Postcolonial theory is an important way to look at cultural identity in literature, especially when thinking about the lasting effects of colonization. In simple terms, postcolonial theory tries to understand the stories and power struggles that come from the experience of being colonized. It reveals how people’s identities are created, changed, and rebuilt because of colonization and the efforts to break free from it. When we read literature with a postcolonial view, we can see several key ideas: - **Hybridity**: Many postcolonial writers talk about hybridity, which means mixing different cultures from colonial times. Characters often face the challenge of having two identities—balancing their original culture with the influences from colonizers. This raises questions about what is real and how to navigate different cultures. - **Decolonization of the Mind**: Stories can help change the way people think and see themselves. Writers use their words to express the struggle of reclaiming cultural heritage and resisting the stories imposed by colonial powers. This process often means rewriting history and defining what it means to be part of a culture, which highlights the importance of having a voice and being represented. - **Subaltern Voices**: Postcolonial theory brings attention to the experiences of less powerful groups—those who are often ignored in history. By focusing on these subaltern voices, literature challenges the main cultural stories and presents a richer, more detailed picture of identity that reflects the real lives of colonized people. - **Resistance and Identity Formation**: Many postcolonial stories show how characters resist colonial oppression. This resistance is not just about gaining political independence; it also plays a big part in shaping cultural identity. As characters deal with their situations, they often redefine and assert who they are, in response to colonial histories. A great example of these ideas is Chinua Achebe's book "Things Fall Apart." In this story, the clash between the indigenous Igbo culture and British colonial forces shows how delicate the idea of identity can be in a postcolonial world. Achebe’s story critiques colonialism while celebrating African identity, challenging simple views. In the end, postcolonial theory reveals the complex ways cultural identity is shown and contested in literature. It encourages readers to think about the historical and cultural paths that shape identities. This helps us understand how literature not only reflects but also shapes our thoughts on culture and belonging. Through this way of thinking, we can see how important storytelling is in forming and transforming identity, showing the ongoing conversations between the past and the present.
**Understanding Psychoanalysis in Victorian Literature** Psychoanalysis is a way to look at books and characters by studying their thoughts and feelings. However, when we use this method for Victorian literature, it can be tricky. This is mainly because the ideas of Freud, a key figure in psychoanalysis, were developed a long time ago. Sometimes, these old ideas don’t match up well with how we think today about psychology and stories. Victorian writers were deeply influenced by the strict rules and expectations of their time. They created stories with characters facing complicated emotions. But if we only use Freud’s ideas to look at these stories, we might miss a lot of important details and could even project modern beliefs onto them. **Main Challenges:** 1. **Oversimplification**: Psychoanalysis sometimes tries to explain complicated character feelings and the themes in stories in very simple terms, like basic desires or worries. This can overlook the richness of characters and stories in Victorian literature and lead to shallow interpretations. 2. **Cultural Differences**: The Victorian era had its own unique social rules and history. These differences can make it tough to apply psychoanalytic ideas that come from a different time and place. Beliefs about gender, sexuality, and mental health have changed a lot since then, which can lead to misunderstandings. 3. **Unclear Texts**: Many Victorian stories are not straightforward. Authors like Charles Dickens or the Brontë sisters often used tricky narration techniques. This can make it hard to draw clear psychoanalytic conclusions about the characters or plots. **Possible Solutions:** Even with these challenges, there are ways to make psychoanalysis work better with Victorian literature: - **Updating Ideas**: By combining older psychoanalytic ideas with modern psychology, we can gain a better understanding. Bringing in current thoughts about identity and trauma can help connect Victorian stories with today’s discussions. - **Joining Forces**: Working with historians, sociologists, and cultural critics can give us a bigger picture. This teamwork helps ground our analysis in the time and culture of the Victorian era, which can lead to more accurate readings. - **Feminist Psychoanalysis**: Including feminist views can help explore issues like gender and sexuality. This approach allows for a deeper look at feelings of repression and desire, which is important in today’s conversations about these topics. In conclusion, psychoanalytic methods can provide helpful insights into the psychology of characters in Victorian literature. But they do face some real challenges. By adapting our methods, working with experts from other fields, and using feminist ideas, we can better understand and appreciate the rich themes found in this fascinating period of literature.
**Understanding Critical Theory in Literature** Critical Theory changes the way we think about meaning in literature. Instead of looking at a book as a standalone piece of art, it highlights how a text, its author, the reader, and the world around them all interact with each other. Let’s break it down: ### Context Matters In traditional literary analysis, people often focus on what the author meant, the text itself, and the usual rules of literature. But Critical Theory argues that meaning isn’t fixed. It can change based on many things like: - **Cultural values** (what’s important in society) - **Historical events** (things that happened in the past) - **Social structures** (how society is organized) Every reader brings their own experiences and the time they live in to the text. This means each person might have a unique understanding or interpretation of the same book. ### Power Relations in Literature Critical Theory also looks at how power affects literature and how we understand it. Books don’t exist in isolation; they reflect our society’s beliefs. By examining literature through different lenses — like: - **Marxism** (the study of social classes) - **Feminism** (the study of gender equality) - **Postcolonialism** (the impact of colonialism) we can see how texts may reinforce or challenge popular ideas. This approach helps reveal that the meanings often assumed by traditional analysis might ignore other important voices. ### The Reader’s Role One of the key ideas of Critical Theory is how much power readers have in creating meaning. In the past, readers were seen as just receiving the author's message. Now, thinkers like Roland Barthes and Wolfgang Iser argue that readers actively shape meaning when they engage with a text. This means that meaning comes alive through the connection between the book and the reader’s thoughts, feelings, and background. ### Multiple Meanings Thanks to Critical Theory, we realize that books can have many interpretations. This idea, called "polysemy," encourages everyone to explore different meanings and celebrate diverse viewpoints. Readers are invited to look at texts from their own backgrounds and experiences. ### Questioning Authority Critical Theory challenges the idea that an author has the final say on a text's meaning. It shows that a book doesn’t have just one correct interpretation. Instead, reading becomes a conversation between the reader and the book, leading to a variety of meanings. ### Critiquing Culture Critical Theory also pushes us to think critically about the cultural and historical contexts of literature. This helps us see how texts can challenge unfair ideologies. Understanding these influences can empower us to better engage with our world. ### Connecting Different Fields Critical Theory encourages blending ideas from various subjects, like philosophy and sociology, to deepen our understanding of literature. This broader perspective helps us appreciate the many layers of human experience reflected in literature. ### Ethical Reading This approach also raises important questions about how we read. It makes us think about which voices are heard in literature and which are left out. By being aware of this, we can read more responsibly and include diverse perspectives. ### Challenging Historical Narratives Critical Theory not only looks at individual texts but also at broader historical stories. It questions why certain works are seen as important and opens doors for voices that have been overlooked, allowing them to be heard and valued. ### Exploring Genres With Critical Theory, we reconsider how we define genres and styles in literature. Instead of sticking to strict categories, this approach allows for new and mixed types of texts, appreciating works that don’t fit neatly into molds. ### Final Thoughts In summary, Critical Theory gives us a powerful way to understand literature. It encourages us to see meaning as something that changes through the interaction of the text, the reader, and the world. This approach not only improves how we interpret literature but also helps us think critically about our surroundings. It teaches us that books are not just reflections of reality; they play an active role in shaping how we understand our lives. So, literature is more than just words on a page; it's a vital tool for understanding ourselves and the world around us.
The rise of Critical Theory is closely linked to important historical movements that shaped thinking in the 20th century. These movements included different social, political, and philosophical ideas that helped Critical Theory develop from the Frankfurt School. One major movement that connects to Critical Theory is the **Marxist Tradition**. Karl Marx studied capitalism and talked about the struggles between different social classes, money, and beliefs. He showed how the wealthy class takes advantage of the working class. This laid the groundwork for people to look closely at society and how it works under capitalism. Marx's idea that the ruling class’s beliefs seem universal pushed future thinkers to question normal beliefs and find ways to help everyone. This idea is very important for Critical Theorists, who want to expose unfair power dynamics and injustices in society's culture. Another big influence that helped Critical Theory grow was the **Enlightenment**. During this time, people valued reason, individuality, and questioning traditional authority. Thinkers like Immanuel Kant encouraged new ways of thinking about human experience and morals. This spirit of questioning is at the heart of Critical Theory. Critical Theorists use Enlightenment ideas to support human freedom while also thinking about the challenges and failures that came from these ideas in real life. The **Frankfurt School**, which began in the 1920s, combined these earlier ideas to create its unique method of critiquing society. Important figures like Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer responded to the danger of Fascism and totalitarianism in Europe. Their work, "Dialectic of Enlightenment," critiques the Enlightenment by arguing that reason has often been used to control people instead of freeing them. This alternative view highlights the complicated issues within modern life, showing how reason can also lead to oppression. The Frankfurt School focused on how culture and society interact, showing the need for careful analysis of these ideas. World War II also greatly influenced Critical Theory. The terrible effects of harsh governments made thinkers realize how fragile democracy can be. They saw that societies can easily fall into authoritarianism. In this light, Critical Theorists worked to create methods that could tackle the social issues leading to such oppressive regimes. They tried to understand how culture and beliefs reflect and maintain power dynamics. After the war, they explored how art, literature, and media could either fight against or support these power structures. The **Civil Rights Movement** in the United States was another key factor in shaping Critical Theory. The fight for racial equality and social justice showed how race, class, and culture intersect. Thinkers like Herbert Marcuse expanded on Marxist ideas by including aspects of race and sexuality. This change brought attention to the many identities and experiences people have, which helped shape later theories like postcolonial and feminist ideas. Additionally, the rise of **post-structuralism** and challenges to big ideas about history and knowledge also changed how Critical Theory was viewed in the late 20th century. Thinkers like Michel Foucault argued that knowledge depends on historical and cultural contexts. This view encouraged Critical Theorists to look at how language and ideas shape how we see reality and influence our actions. By understanding how power works through language, Critical Theory kept adapting and remained relevant in analyzing culture today. As we reached the end of the 20th century, the rise of **globalization and capitalism** led to new questions in Critical Theory. The mixing of cultures, international movements, and economic inequalities made theorists look at how global capitalism affects local cultures and communities. This focus deepened the understanding of Critical Theory, stressing the importance of global aspects of culture. In conclusion, many historical movements helped shape Critical Theory. From the foundations of Marxism to Enlightenment ideas, critiques against harsh governments, and the push for civil rights, each movement has had an impact. Together, these influences created a rich language that challenges dominant beliefs and calls for social change. By understanding these historical backgrounds, we can better engage with literature and see the social and political conditions that shape it. Critical Theory continues to be a vital tool for analyzing literature, revealing the complex connections between culture, power, and resistance in society.