NEW HISTORICISM
Table of Contents
Introduction
new historicism and cultural materialism, new historicism theory
What is new Historicism?
New Historicism is a Literary Theory and method of analysis that emerged in the 1980s as a response to traditional literary criticism, which tended to focus on the formal qualities of a text (such as its structure, style, and genre) and the author's biography while ignoring the historical and cultural context in which the text was produced.
New historicism seeks to understand literature not as a timeless and universal art form, but as a product of specific historical, social, and political conditions. It views literary texts as both shaped by and shaping the cultural and political discourses of their time, and argues that literary analysis must take into account the broader social and historical context to fully understand the meanings and values expressed in a text.
Key Ideas and Concepts in New Historicism.
These are some basic tenets of New- Historicism.
The Social Construction of Meaning
New historicism argues that meaning is not fixed and objective but is socially constructed and constantly changing. The meaning of a literary text is not determined solely by the author's intentions or the formal qualities of the text itself but is shaped by the cultural, historical, and ideological context in which it was produced and received.
The Historicity of Texts
New historicism views literary texts as products of their time and place and as expressions of the cultural and political discourses of that time. The meanings and values expressed in a text are not timeless or universal but are contingent on the specific historical context in which the text was produced.
The Importance of Context
New historicism emphasizes the importance of understanding the social, historical, and political context in which a text was produced and received. This includes understanding the economic, political, and social structures of the society in which the text was produced, as well as the cultural and intellectual discourses of the time.
The Relationship Between Literature and Power
New historicism argues that literature is not an innocent or autonomous sphere of activity but is intertwined with the exercise of power. Literary texts are not just representations of power relations but are themselves involved in the production and reproduction of power relations.
The Use of Intertextuality
New historicism frequently uses the concept of intertextuality to explore the relationship between literary texts and their cultural and historical context. Intertextuality refers to how a text is shaped by and in conversation with other texts, both literary and non-literary, that were produced at the same time or earlier.
The Rejection of The Authorial Intention
New historicism rejects the idea that the author's intention is the most important factor in interpreting a text. Instead, it argues that the meaning of a text is determined by the cultural and historical context in which it was produced and received.
Examples Of New Historicist Analysis
- A new historicist analysis of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" might explore how the play reflects the colonial and imperialist discourses of the early modern period, and how it both reinforces and subverts those discourses.
- A new historicist analysis of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" might examine how the novel reflects the scientific and technological developments of the early nineteenth century, and how it explores the ethical and social implications of those developments.
- A new historicist analysis of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" might explore how the novel reflects the social and economic structures of late eighteenth-century England, and how it both reinforces and critiques those structures.
Theorists and Major Proponents of new historicism
The founding father of New Historicism is generally considered to be the literary critic and scholar Stephen Greenblatt. In the early 1980s, Greenblatt was one of a group of scholars who began to develop a new approach to literary analysis that emphasized the connections between literature and history. His book "Renaissance Self-Fashioning" (1980) is often seen as a seminal work in the development of New Historicism, and it helped to establish the theoretical and methodological foundations of the approach. Greenblatt's work has been influential in shaping the direction of New Historicism, and he has continued to be an important figure in the field.
New Historicism is a critical theory that emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, and there have been many scholars who have contributed to its development. Here are some of the major proponents and theorists of New Historicism:
Stephen Greenblatt
Greenblatt is a literary critic and one of the key figures in the development of New Historicism. His book "Renaissance Self-Fashioning" (1980) is considered a foundational text of the movement, and he has also written extensively on Shakespeare, colonialism, and cultural poetics.
Louis Montrose
Montrose is a literary critic who has written extensively on Renaissance literature and culture. His book "The Purpose of Playing" (1996) is a seminal work in the development of New Historicism, and he is known for his interest in the relationship between literature and power.
Catherine Gallagher
Gallagher is a literary critic who has written on a range of topics, including the history of the novel and the relationship between literature and economics. Her book "Nobody's Story" (1994) is a key work in the development of New Historicism, and she is known for her interest in how literary texts participate in larger cultural and economic discourses.
Michel Foucault
Although not strictly a New Historicist, the French philosopher Michel Foucault has had a significant influence on the development of the theory. His emphasis on the relationship between power and knowledge, and his interest in how power is exercised through discourses and practices, have been important to New Historicist approaches to literature.
Clifford Geertz
Geertz was an anthropologist who developed the concept of "thick description," which emphasizes the importance of studying cultural practices and symbols in their larger social and historical context. His work has been influential in New Historicist approaches to literature, which also emphasizes the importance of cultural context in understanding literary texts.
These are just a few of the major proponents and theorists of New Historicism. Overall, New Historicism has been shaped by the contributions of many scholars across a range of disciplines, and it continues to be a vibrant and influential approach to literary and cultural criticism.
What was the Impact of new historicism on literature?
New Historicism has had a significant impact on the study of literature, both in terms of the types of questions scholars ask about literary texts and the methods they use to answer those questions. Here are a few ways in which New Historicism has impacted the study of literature:
Contextualization
New Historicism has emphasized the importance of contextualizing literary texts within their historical, social, and cultural contexts. This has led scholars to pay closer attention to the historical circumstances that shaped the production and reception of literary works, as well as to the broader cultural discourses that influenced them.
Interdisciplinarity
New Historicism has encouraged scholars to draw on insights from a range of disciplines, including history, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies, to better understand literary texts. This has led to a more interdisciplinary approach to literary studies, which has expanded the range of questions scholars can ask about literary texts.
Power and ideology
New Historicism has emphasized the importance of power and ideology in shaping literary works and their reception. This has led scholars to pay closer attention to how literary texts participate in larger cultural discourses and to how they may be used to reinforce or subvert dominant ideologies.
Revisioning Literary Canons
New Historicism has challenged traditional literary canons by drawing attention to works that have been historically marginalized or excluded. This has led to a broader understanding of the literary tradition and has helped to highlight how literary canons are themselves products of historical and cultural contexts.
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