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Social Class. Literary Theory. Remember…. What is the purpose of literary theory criticism? It is an approach to reading and interpreting a text! What lens or glasses are you using as you read and interpret text? Reader Response? Historical? And now…Social Class!. Key Points.
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Social Class Literary Theory
Remember… What is the purpose of literary theory criticism? It is an approach to reading and interpreting a text! What lens or glasses are you using as you read and interpret text? Reader Response? Historical? And now…Social Class!
Key Points • Assumes that socio-economic classes continually struggle for economic, political, and social advantage. • Pays attention to who has the money and the power in texts and what happens as a result of this power. (how is it in the text?) • Supports textual interpretations based on who historically has had the money and power.
How are different groups of society represented in the text? • Who has the power/money? (vs.) Who lacks power/money? • For characters, what are the effects of having or lacking power/money? • How is the text itself a commodity/product that represents certain social beliefs and practices? (i.e. What is the social agenda/effect of the work?)
Why would you use Social Class Theory? • Consideration of class and power can significantly enhance understanding of text. • Encouragement to consider texts from other perspectives beyond personal status.
Why wouldn’t you use Social Class Theory? • Obliterates the idea of personal responsibility & morality. • Hostility created within class competition.
