In this lecture, Professor Paul Fry explores the course's title in three parts. The relationship between theory and philosophy, the question of what literature is and does, and what constitutes an introduction are interrogated. The professor then situates the emergence of literary theory in the his...
Introduction to Theory and Literature
Welcome to our course on Theory and Literature. Today, I'd like to
begin by discussing the title of our course and the meaning behind
some of the key terms. Specifically, I want to address the words
"theory," "literature," and "introduction."
Theory and its Importance
The word "theory" has a complex history and can mean different things
depending on the context. In the context of this course, theory refers to
a speculative undertaking, an hypothesis about something. While theory
can be applied to various aspects of literature, it is often a purely
speculative endeavor.
However, it is important to note that theory exists primarily to be
applied. In this course, we will frequently apply different theories to
literary texts, such as "Lycidas" and "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."
This process allows us to explore postcolonial readings and gain a
deeper understanding of the texts.
Defining Literature
The word "literature" requires definition as well. Throughout this course,
we will explore various definitions of literature based on form,
psychological complexity, and the distinction between fiction and
reality. It is important to understand that literature may resist a single
definition and can be interpreted differently by different communities.
The Role of Literary Theory
Literary theory not only seeks to define literature but also asks
important questions about its causes and effects. These questions
include: "What causes literature?" and "What are the effects of
literature?" We will explore these questions in future lectures, as well as
the related questions of "What is an author?" and "What is a reader?"
In addition, we will delve into the field of hermeneutics, which examines
the reading experience and how we interpret texts. Hermeneutics is
concerned with communication and will be our first topic in this course.
, The Importance of an Introduction to Theory
Teaching an introduction to theory is valuable for several reasons. It
allows us to understand and critically engage with our own theoretical
perspectives. It also provides historical perspective on the development
of different theoretical ideas and their impact on literary criticism. By
teaching an introduction, we can gain a broader understanding of
theory and its relevance in both historical and contemporary contexts.
Overall, this course aims to explore the relationship between theory and
literature, define literature, and examine the causes and effects of
literature. We will also delve into the reading experience and the role of
interpretation. I hope you find this course engaging and enlightening.
What's New in Literary Theory
In this lecture, we will explore the element of skepticism that
characterizes literary theory and its historical origins. Modern thought,
starting with figures like Descartes, Shakespeare, and Cervantes, laid the
groundwork for questioning the relationship between what we know
and how we know it. Descartes, for example, famously stated, "I think,
therefore I am," establishing the idea of a distance between the mind
and the objects it thinks about. This idea of a subjective and objective
divide led to the concept of scientific objectivity and the Enlightenment.
However, this belief in the separation between subject and object began
to erode over time. Kant, in 1796, stated that we cannot know the thing
in itself, leading to a sense of danger in the distance between subject
and object. Hegel further expanded on this by introducing the concept
of "unhappy consciousness," which arises from estrangement and
uncertainty about what we see.
Three influential thinkers – Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud – further
complicated the issue of consciousness. Marx argued that
consciousness is determined by external factors such as social and
historical conditions, leading to an inauthentic relationship with the
world and with its own underpinnings. Nietzsche believed that language
itself distorts truth and shapes our beliefs, while Freud explored the
influence of the unconscious on consciousness.
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