References

New Criticism -- Methods

Practice 理論實踐--from understanding, appreciation to analysis

I. New Criticism -- Methods

    A. From parts to an organic whole

        1. finding the tensions and conflicts, ambiguity, paradox, irony
        2. connotation and denotations
        3. poetic elements: metaphor, simile, personification, prosody,
        4. narrative elements: tone, point of view, narrative structure

    B. Whole

         1. What is it about? 

         2. your thesis

II. Practice--from understanding, appreciation to analysis

Some Poems on Death and Personal Identity since the Romantic Age

A. "A Slumber did my Spirit Seal"
--circle contradictory, or unusual words: meanings, questions, feelings
1. whole--What is it about? Irony of death? Acceptance of death?
2. parts--
   
B. Dickenson--J. 712; Cf. "I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Die"
            1. whole--a journey to death. What kind of journey? Endless?
            2. parts--
            Question: What are the differences between D's and W's views of death?
   
C. J. 288
            1. whole--two kinds of identity. What's it like to be nobody?

            2. parts--tones?
   
D. Whitman--"Song of Myself"
           1. whole--I and the others, past, present and future
            2. parts--contraries
   
E. Keats--"Ode to a Nightingale"
            1. whole--the poet and the Nightingale as a symbol of music? Art? Nature?
            2. parts--

• a. images--

  • 1) hemlock, dull opiate, Lethe,

  • 2) liquor associated with happiness, abundance,            

• b. contraries:

  • aches--happy, sing of summer in full-throated ease

  • poison--liquor tasting of dance and mirth

  • fade away and forget--pains on earth

  • thy plaintive anthem                  

• c. structure

  • 1-3 quest,
    4--Already with thee!
    6--To thy high requiem become a sod.
    7-8 Thou--immortal Bird, heard through generations
    Forlorn! Bell--wake or sleep?

F. Keats -- "Ode on Melancholy"

TOP