The correct answer is 3 because New Criticism focuses on analyzing the text itself, independent of external contexts such as the author’s biography, historical background, or ethical considerations. New Critics believe that the meaning of a literary work is embedded within the language and structure of the text itself. This approach is often referred to as close reading, where the critic examines the relationships among the words, symbols, images, and metaphors to understand the inherent meaning of the work.
Here's how each option compares to this principle:
"An emphasis on the distinctive style and personality of the authors" – This is closer to biographical criticism, which focuses on the author’s background rather than the internal structure of the text.
"Stressing the virtues of discipline, order, and the ethical mean" – This might align more with moral or ethical criticism, which considers the moral content or values presented in the work, not the text itself.
"Locating the meaning of a literary work in the internal relations of the language that constitute a text" – This aligns precisely with New Criticism’s focus on the internal structure and formal aspects of the text to derive meaning.
"Evaluating a literary text against a backdrop of historical events" – This corresponds to historical or contextual criticism, which emphasizes understanding literature in its historical or cultural context, an approach New Criticism intentionally avoids.
So, Option 3 correctly describes the core principle of New Criticism.
Year-wise PYQs
