After the New Criticism

After the New Criticism traces the development of literary theory in America from the 1950s through the late 1970s. The book examines key theorists and movements that emerged following the decline of New Criticism's dominance in academic literary studies. Lentricchia analyzes major figures including Murray Krieger, E.D. Hirsch, Paul de Man, Harold Bloom, and others who shaped post-New Critical approaches. The work maps the transition from formalist criticism to newer theoretical frameworks including structuralism, phenomenology, and deconstruction. Each chapter focuses on specific critics and philosophical traditions, showing how they built upon or departed from previous theoretical models. Historical context and intellectual genealogies help frame the progression of literary criticism during this transformative period. The book reveals tensions between competing views of interpretation, meaning, and the role of the critic that continue to influence literary studies. At its core, it examines fundamental questions about how we read and make sense of texts.

Readers highlight this book's thorough analysis of major literary theorists from 1957-1977, with close examination of work by Frye, Bloom, Fish, and others. Several academic reviewers note its value as a reference text that maps the transition from New Criticism to poststructuralism. Likes: - Clear explanations of complex theoretical concepts - Detailed coverage of each critic's methodology - Strong historical context for theoretical developments - Useful citations and references Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style - Some sections require extensive background knowledge - Limited coverage of feminist and Marxist criticism - Dated perspectives (published 1980) "Helped me understand the philosophical roots of different critical approaches" - Goodreads reviewer "Sometimes impenetrable but worth the effort" - Amazon reviewer Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (8 ratings) Google Books: No ratings available Most reviews come from academic sources rather than consumer review sites.

Literary Theory: An Introduction by Terry Eagleton Maps the evolution of literary theory through major critical movements with emphasis on ideological and historical contexts.

The Mirror and the Lamp by M. H. Abrams Traces the transformation of literary theory from classical mimesis to romantic expression through examination of metaphors and critical concepts.

Critical Theory Since Plato by Hazard Adams Presents primary texts from major literary theorists and critics in chronological sequence to reveal the development of critical thought.

The Location of Culture by Homi Bhabha Examines how cultural theory evolved beyond formalism to engage with postcolonial discourse and issues of cultural identity.

Marxism and Literary Criticism by Terry Eagleton Explores the relationship between Marxist theory and literary analysis through investigation of form, content, and social context.

🔹 After the New Criticism (1980) was one of the first comprehensive analyses of post-structuralist literary theory written specifically for an American audience. 🔹 Frank Lentricchia, dubbed "The Dirty Harry of literary criticism" by The Village Voice, taught at Duke University and helped establish the institution as a major center for literary theory. 🔹 The book traces the shift from New Criticism's focus on close reading to more politically engaged forms of criticism, examining theorists like Harold Bloom, Paul de Man, and Michel Foucault. 🔹 Despite critiquing New Criticism, Lentricchia acknowledges its lasting influence on American literary studies, particularly its emphasis on careful textual analysis. 🔹 The work became a foundational text in graduate literature programs throughout the 1980s and 1990s, helping to introduce complex European theoretical concepts to American academia.