Which critical approach emphasizes close reading of the text itself, often ignoring authorial intent and historical context?

Which critical approach emphasizes close reading of the text itself, often ignoring authorial intent and historical context?

• A. New Criticism
• B. Trope
• C. New Historicism
• D. Gender

Answer: (A)

New Criticism emphasizes close reading of the text itself, treating a literary work as an autonomous artifact whose meaning lies in the words on the page rather than in the author’s intentions or the historical context. Practitioners analyze how formal elements—imagery, metaphor, symbol, paradox, tone, diction, and the way they interconnect—create unity and meaning within the text. They focus on internal relations and how the structure and patterns contribute to a coherent interpretation, often setting aside biographical details about the author or broader historical background. This approach matches the idea of concentrating on the text itself while ignoring authorial intent and historical context.

The other options don’t fit as neatly. Trope refers to a figure of speech or a recurring literary device rather than a full critical method; New Historicism foregrounds historical context and external factors; gender-focused approaches examine how gender influences meaning and power dynamics.