Why is understanding the historical context important in literature?

It helps to comprehend the meanings of words and themes as intended by the author during their time, influencing a better understanding of the literary work.

How does historical criticism differ from other types of criticism?

Historical criticism specifically focuses on the influences of the time period in which a literary work was written and set, unlike other criticisms that may focus on different aspects.

Can you give an example of historical context affecting understanding?

In 'Sense and Sensibility' by Jane Austen, understanding the term "man of no profession" historically helps to understand it means a wealthy gentleman without a job, rather than someone unemployed.

What should a historical critic research first?

A historical critic should first research the author's time period.

Why is language important in historical criticism?

The meanings of words can change over time, so understanding what words meant during the writing and setting of the story is crucial.

Does audience reaction play a role in historical criticism?

Yes, how contemporary audiences respond to the work is also an aspect of historical criticism.

What aspects are looked at in historical criticism?

Political history, literary period, economic history, cultural climate, and social environment are considered.

How can historical criticism help understand Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work?

Understanding references to people like Rosa Parks and events such as boycotts helps contextualize his writings and the period's social dynamics.

Does historical criticism consider economic history?

Yes, economic history is a factor considered in historical criticism.

Historical Criticism

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFKNNvAgZ5g

Résumé

TLDRThe video outlines the concept of historical criticism, which investigates the historical, social, political, and cultural contexts of a literary work. This approach believes these contexts shape literature and must be understood to grasp the writer's intent. Historical criticism involves understanding both the time period referenced in the story and the time when it was written. For example, the meaning of "man of no profession" in Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" reflects a wealthy gentleman in her era, unlike today's interpretation. It stresses the importance of knowing the meanings of words in their historical context, the audience's response, and the socio-political landscape of the time. To conduct historical criticism, one should research the author's time, relate it to the literary piece, and consider societal factors like technological advancements, political systems, and economic conditions. Examples include understanding Martin Luther King, Jr.'s references in "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Overall, historical criticism reveals how the past influences literature and its reception.

A retenir

📚 Historical criticism examines the time period of a literary work.
🔍 Understanding words in their historical context is crucial.
⚙️ Historical criticism connects literature to its socio-political background.
💡 Example: "man of no profession" in Jane Austen's time.
🕰 Knowing the author's era helps understand the text.
👥 Audience reaction is part of historical criticism.
📖 Literary period and cultural climate are analyzed.
💬 Words' meanings evolve and affect interpretation.
🏛 Political and economic conditions are examined.
📜 Historical events shape literature's meaning.

Chronologie

00:00:00 - 00:04:04
The video introduces the concept of Historical Criticism, a method of literary analysis that examines the historical, social, political, and cultural contexts in which a literary work was written. It asserts that understanding these contexts is essential to grasping the writer's intended meaning. For instance, a story told by a pioneer crossing America contrasts sharply with narratives of the Vietnam War. The video provides examples like Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility," where historical knowledge of the term "man of no profession" is crucial for understanding. The video also outlines strategies for conducting historical criticism, such as researching the author's era and examining the work for contextual references. It emphasizes the importance of knowing the laws, political, cultural, and economic conditions of the time to interpret an author's work effectively. Finally, it underscores the necessity of understanding historical references and societal attitudes of an era, as shown by analyzing Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail."

Carte mentale

Vidéo Q&R

What is historical criticism?
Historical criticism examines the historical, social, political, and cultural contexts of a literary work to understand the writer's intention and meaning.
Why is understanding the historical context important in literature?
It helps to comprehend the meanings of words and themes as intended by the author during their time, influencing a better understanding of the literary work.
How does historical criticism differ from other types of criticism?
Historical criticism specifically focuses on the influences of the time period in which a literary work was written and set, unlike other criticisms that may focus on different aspects.
Can you give an example of historical context affecting understanding?
In 'Sense and Sensibility' by Jane Austen, understanding the term "man of no profession" historically helps to understand it means a wealthy gentleman without a job, rather than someone unemployed.
What should a historical critic research first?
A historical critic should first research the author's time period.
Why is language important in historical criticism?
The meanings of words can change over time, so understanding what words meant during the writing and setting of the story is crucial.
Does audience reaction play a role in historical criticism?
Yes, how contemporary audiences respond to the work is also an aspect of historical criticism.
What aspects are looked at in historical criticism?
Political history, literary period, economic history, cultural climate, and social environment are considered.
How can historical criticism help understand Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work?
Understanding references to people like Rosa Parks and events such as boycotts helps contextualize his writings and the period's social dynamics.
Does historical criticism consider economic history?
Yes, economic history is a factor considered in historical criticism.

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00:00:09
We will be looking at Historical Criticism. Historical criticism explores
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the historical, social, political, and cultural time of a literary work.
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Historical critics believe that these points influence literature, and must be
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explored in order to understand the writer's meaning. For example, a person
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writing as he or she crosses the United States in a covered wagon will tell a
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very different story than a person talking about the Vietnam War or
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Super Bowl 49. Historical criticism explores both the time period within the
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story and the time period of the writing. The writer's purpose is best understood
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when we understand the meanings and words used in a certain time period; this
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includes what the words meant in the story, and what the words meant when the
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writer lived. How the audience responds to the literary work is also
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important in historical criticism. For example, in "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane
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Austen, a "man of no profession" meant a "gentleman, a man of wealth. When the book was written, "profession" meant any job or work for pay;
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therefore, a man of no profession meant that the person did not have a job at all and was wealthy enough
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that he did not have to work. Today, not having a job is more likely to mean "someone unemployed," or a "bum."
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Knowing about the laws of the time would also be important. An example of this would be the fact that because women in "Sense and Sensibility"
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could not own property, the women were impoverished, even though
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their father died a very wealthy man. Here are some strategies for conducting
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historical criticism: first, research the author's time. Then, relate the
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information you find about the time or the conditions to the literary work. Also,
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examine the literary work and look for references to specific conditions or
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events. Look at the political history, the literary period, the economic history, the
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cultural climate, and the social environment. Here are some examples:
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Did the author live in a democracy, or was there a king? Were science fiction novels
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popular? Were computers invented? Did people live in houses? tents? castles?
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Was the literary work written during a time of prosperity, or does it talk about what prosperity should look like?
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Do kids play outside and walk to school? Do cellphones, Facebook, Netflix, and Amazon exist, or does "Amazon" mean "a female warrior?"
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If you read "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr., you need to
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understand the references to people such as Rosa Parks, and situations, like the
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boycotting of buses and businesses. You need to know what was going on in that
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time period, and different people's attitudes toward freedom, how to best
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gain freedom, and the relationship of people to each other and society at the time.
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You can often tell an author's attitude about something by the words he or she chooses.
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Does the literary work talk about going to school, or the right to go to school, for example?
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Thank you for watching this presentation on Historical Criticism.