Understanding New Historicism: Key Concepts and Applications
New Historicism is a literary theory developed by Stephen Greenblatt in the 1980s to explore the cultural and intellectual history through literature. This approach focuses on understanding a literary work by examining its historical context and encourages a nuanced understanding of culture and society through the analysis of texts.
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New Historicism applied to The Catcher in the Rye http://theredhuntinghat.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/rye_catcher.jpg?w=202h=282
http://blogs.dickinson.edu/anglesofliteraryapproach/files/2011/08/cropped-1.jpghttp://blogs.dickinson.edu/anglesofliteraryapproach/files/2011/08/cropped-1.jpg IntroductiontoNew Historicism
History of New Historicism Developed by Stephen Greenblatt in the 1980 s (Polukis 1). File:StephenJayGreenblatt.jpg
History of New Historicism The theory was developed: To develop understanding of a literary work through its historical context to explore cultural and intellectual history through literature (Polukis 3).
Key Theorists of New Historicism Michel Foucault Most New Historicism writings based off his work. Believes historical events are a web of economic, social, and political factors. Like Marx, he saw history in the terms of power, but unlike Marx, he viewed the power as a complex of forces that produces what happens (Polukis 5).
Key Theorists of New Historicism Stephen Greenblatt Focus on history and the small details of culture to understand history He along with other Historicists helped develop the five premises to use when looking at a particular historical moment in a less subjective more objective way (Polukis 3).
Main Ideas of New Historicism No reader can claim to have the truth of a text or event; or even that an understanding of the truth is possible. At best, one can acknowledgethe truth of a particular point of view (Polukis 2).
Main Ideas of New Historicism The questions to ask are not: Were the characters based on real people? Are any characters or events in the text drawn from the author s life and experiences? Is the text an accurate portrayal of the time period in which it is set? Instead, ask: What view or understanding of the relevant culture does this text offer? How does this text contribute to or shape the understanding of the culture it represents? (Polukis 3).
http://www.dansimmons.com/images/2012_Feb/web%20ready/Derrida-deconstruction.jpghttp://www.dansimmons.com/images/2012_Feb/web%20ready/Derrida-deconstruction.jpg
http://artwithmeaning.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/catcher-in-the-rye-painting.jpghttp://artwithmeaning.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/catcher-in-the-rye-painting.jpg Application of New Historicism to Catcher in the Rye
Application of New Historicism Using an Examination of Cultural Change What a person does to apply the theory to a text: The reader evaluates how a literary work influences cultural change due to the writing of the text. What a person looks at in a text to apply the theory: The reader looks at characters, topics/themes, and plot, etc. to determine how the text influenced other writers. A question a person would ask when applying the theory is: Did any change in culture result from the work? What changed? (Polukis 3-5).
A look at character and topics to determine how Catcher in the Ryeinfluenced other writers and changed literature. Anyway, while I was putting on another clean shirt, I sort of figured this was my big chance, in a way. I figured if she was a prostitute and all, I could get in some practice on her, in case I ever get married or anything. I worry about that stuff sometimes. [ ] I wouldn't mind being pretty good at that stuff. Half the time, if you really want to know the truth, when I'm horsing around with a girl, I have a helluva lot of trouble just finding what I'm looking for, for God's sake, if you know what I mean. Take this girl that I just missed having sexual intercourse with, that I told you about. It took me about an hour to just get her goddam brassiere off. By the time I did get it off, she was about ready to spitin my eye (Salinger 135).
A look at character and topics to determine how Catcher in the Ryeinfluenced other writers and changed literature. "Bring me a Coke." He started to go away, but I called him back. "Can'tcha stick a little rum in it or something?" I asked him. I asked him very nicely and all. "I can't sit in a corny place like this cold sober. Can'tcha stick a little rum in it or something?" "I'm very sorry, sir " he said, and beat it on me. I didn't hold it against him, though. They lose their jobs if they get caught selling to a minor. I'm a goddam minor (Salinger 99).
The previous passages contain several topics that were taboo to adolescent literature in the 1940s Teen sexual exploration Teen sexual solicitation to a prostitute Premarital sex Underage drinking Blasphemies Swearing Rebellion
The novel also took the lead in the development of the coming of age genre Similar works followed such as: The Blackboard Jungle Lord of the Flies On the Road The Graduate The Outsiders
The novel also led to the creation of slang words in popular culture. screw up moron lousy corny
In summary, the novel led to culture change in many different ways. It made taboo adolescent subjects mainstream It redefined the genre coming of age It introduced new slang words It frequently used swear words
In the clip, below, the novels influence is easy to see! Igby Goes Down.jpg Igby, like Holden Has Mental health issues Frequently swears Explores drugs Rebels Partakes in teenage sexual exploration
Essential Question Application Explanation The Catcher in the Ryeaffected American and world culture drastically in many different ways: 1. The novel developed a new type of coming of age novel - the teenage novel. Topics such as sex, drugs, loss of innocence, etc. were first illustrated in a teen-oriented format. Several works have followed in the footsteps of this novel such as The Perks of Being A Wallflower, The Outsiders, etc. 2. Catcher in the Rye also became an icon of teenage rebellion, angst, and defiance.
Works Cited Polukis, Stephanie. Teaching J.D. Salinger s The Catcher in the Rye. Clayton, DE: Prestwick, 2009. Print. Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1991. Print.
