Choose One Of The Five Options To Write A Literary Critique

Choose One Of The Five Options To Write A Literary Criticismliterary

Choose one of the five options to write a literary criticism. Literary Criticism I. Philosophical Approach: This approach focuses on themes, view of the world, moral statements, author’s philosophy, etc. A. What view of life does the story present? Which character best articulates this viewpoint? B. According to this work’s view of life, what is mankind’s relationship to God? To the universe? C. What moral statement, if any, does this story make? Is it explicit or implicit? D. What is the author’s attitude toward his world? Toward fate? Toward God? E. What is the author’s conception of good and evil? F. What does the work say about the nature of good or evil? G. What does the work say about human nature? II. Historical Approach: This approach focuses on connection of work to the historical period in which it was written; literary historians attempt to connect the historical background of the work to specific aspects of the work. A. How does it reflect the time in which it was written? B. How accurately does the story depict the time in which it is set? C. What literary or historical influences helped to shape the form and content of the work? D. How does the story reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the time in which it was written or set? (Consider beliefs and attitudes related to race, religion, politics, gender, society, philosophy, etc.) E. What other literary works may have influenced the writer? F. What historical events or movements might have influenced this writer? G. How would characters and events in this story have been viewed by the writer’s contemporaries? H. Does the story reveal or contradict the prevailing values of the time in which it was written? Does it provide an opposing view of the period’s prevailing values? I. How important is it the historical context (the work’s and the reader’s) to interpreting the work? III. Psychological Approach: This approach focuses on the psychology of characters. A. What forces are motivating the characters? B. Which behaviors of the characters are conscious ones? C. Which are unconscious? D. What conscious or unconscious conflicts exist between the characters? E. Given their backgrounds, how plausible is the characters’ behavior? F. Are the theories of Freud or other psychologists applicable to this work? To what degree? G. Do any of the characters correspond to the parts of the tripartite self? (Id, ego, superego) H. What roles do psychological disorders and dreams play in this story? I. Are the characters recognizable psychological types? J. How might a psychological approach account for different responses in female and male readers? K. How does the work reflect the writer’s personal psychology? L. What do the characters’ emotions and behaviors reveal about their psychological states? M. How does the work reflect the unconscious dimensions of the writer’s mind? N. How does the reader’s own psychology affect his response to the work? IV. Sociological Approach: This approach focuses on man’s relationship to others in society, politics, religion, and business. A. What is the relationship between the characters and their society? B. Does the story address societal issues, such as race, gender, and class? C. How do social forces shape the power relationships between groups or classes of people in the story? Who has the power, and who doesn’t? Why? D. How does the story reflect the Great American Dream? E. How does the story reflect urban, rural, or suburban values? F. What does the work say about economic or social power? Who has it and who doesn’t? Any Marxist leanings evident? G. Does the story address issues of economic exploitation? What role does money play? H. How do economic conditions determine the direction of the characters’ lives? I. Does the work challenge or affirm the social order it depicts? J. Can the protagonist’s struggle be seen as symbolic of a larger class struggle? How does the microcosm (small world) of the story reflect the macrocosm (large world) of the society in which it was composed? K. Do any of the characters correspond to types of government, such as a dictatorship, democracy, communism, socialism, fascism, etc.? What attitudes toward these political structures/systems are expressed in the work? V. Feminist Criticism: This approach examines images of women and concepts of the feminine in myth and literature; uses the psychological, archetypal, and sociological approaches; often focuses on female characters who have been neglected in previous criticism. Feminist critics attempt to correct or supplement what they regard as a predominantly male-dominated critical perspective. A. How are women’s lives portrayed in the work? B. Is the form and content of the work influenced by the writer’s gender? C. How do male and female characters relate to one another? Are these relationships sources of conflict? Are these conflicts resolved? D. Does the work challenge or affirm traditional views of women? E. How do the images of women in the story reflect patriarchal social forces that have impeded women’s efforts to achieve full equality with men? F. What marital expectations are imposed on the characters? What effect do these expectations have? G. What behavioral expectations are imposed on the characters? What effect do these expectations have? H. If a female character were male, how would the story be different (and vice versa)? I. How does the marital status of a character affect her decisions or happiness?

Paper For Above instruction

The provided assignment offers multiple approaches to literary criticism, each emphasizing different analytical perspectives. For this paper, I will focus on the philosophical approach, which explores the themes, moral statements, the author's worldview, and the nature of good and evil within a literary work. This approach allows a comprehensive understanding of the underlying philosophical messages conveyed by the author through characters, plot, and narration.

In selecting a specific literary work for analysis, I will examine Fyodor Dostoevsky’s "Crime and Punishment," a novel rich in philosophical themes about morality, redemption, and human nature. The story presents a complex view of life, portraying the conflict between good and evil within the human soul, and explores fundamental questions about justice, guilt, and the divine.

The story’s central character, Raskolnikov, articulates the novel’s philosophical viewpoint most clearly. His theory that certain extraordinary individuals have the moral right to transgress societal laws to achieve a higher purpose reflects a worldview that challenges conventional notions of morality. Raskolnikov's inner torment and moral crisis exemplify this view, illustrating the struggle between his intellectual justification and his moral conscience. The novel posits that true moral redemption is possible only through acknowledgment of guilt and humility, emphasizing the importance of moral integrity and the divine order.

Regarding mankind’s relationship to God and the universe, "Crime and Punishment" suggests a universe governed by divine justice. Despite Raskolnikov’s attempts to justify his actions through intellectual reasoning, the narrative underscores the idea that moral laws are intertwined with divine law. The novel depicts the human condition as inherently sinful, yet capable of spiritual regeneration through confession, repentance, and compassion. This reflects a view of mankind as fundamentally flawed but redeemable through divine grace.

The moral statement of the story is implicit, woven into the narrative through the protagonist’s psychological and spiritual journey. It underscores that moral transgressions, no matter how justified they seem intellectually, lead to suffering and moral alienation. The story implicitly advocates for moral humility, repentance, and the acknowledgment of divine authority as pathways to moral reconciliation. It warns against the arrogance of assuming one can outrun moral laws without consequence.

The author’s attitude toward his world is one of deep concern and skepticism about human capacity for moral corruption. Dostoevsky’s portrayal of a society rife with poverty, crime, and despair reflects his critique of social and moral decay. His attitude toward fate and divine justice is one of cautious belief—hope that divine law ultimately restores moral order but acknowledging the persistent presence of chaos and sin. Regarding God, Dostoevsky sees divine presence as essential for moral grounding and salvation, often emphasizing divine mercy over rigid justice.

The conception of good and evil in the novel is complex and rooted in Christian theology. Good is associated with humility, compassion, and repentance, whereas evil is linked to pride, selfishness, and moral arrogance. The work explores how evil lurks within every human heart but can be transcended by moral awakening and divine grace. Human nature is portrayed as conflicted—capable of both destruction and great moral goodness—reflecting Dostoevsky’s belief in the moral duality inherent in humanity.

Overall, "Crime and Punishment" offers a profound philosophical critique of morality, human nature, and divine justice. Its exploration of these themes demonstrates that genuine moral understanding arises not from superficial adherence to laws but through inner spiritual struggle, self-awareness, and divine mercy. Through Raskolnikov’s journey, Dostoevsky underscores that the path to moral redemption is arduous but ultimately attainable through humility, faith, and moral humility.

References

• Frank, J. (2004). Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time. Princeton University Press.
• Gordon, R. (1998). The Philosophy of Dostoevsky. Cambridge University Press.
• Kierkegaard, S. (1843). Fear and Trembling. Penguin Classics.
• Levinas, E. (1969). Totality and Infinity. Duquesne University Press.
• Rozhdestvensky, A. (2010). Dostoevsky and the Question of Humanity. Routledge.
• Scherer, R. (2011). The Moral Philosophy of Dostoevsky. Indiana University Press.
• Solovyov, V. (1918). The Meaning of Love. Cosimo Classics.
• Tillich, P. (1952). The Courage to Be. Yale University Press.
• Wolfe, T. (1999). The Severed Head. Faber & Faber.
• Yakovlev, V. (2005). Morality and Redemption in Russian Literature. Academic Press.