Liberal humanism. The ‘theory’ that has been in place and in use to read texts since pretty much the beginning of literary history. Indeed, with its goal to convey timeless truths, liberal humanism in literature has even been seen as a means to educate the masses, and carry through the ‘ideological task which religion left off.’ Liberal humanism has been largely uncontested until, in the late twentieth century, other theories take over on what has been a year-long tradition. These interesting facts do indeed pose some questions on why, first of all, liberal humanism was uncontested for such a long time, but also, why then, so suddenly it seems, it was overthrown by modern day literary theory and put off as ‘an ideological smokescreen for the oppressive mystifications of modern society and culture, the marginalisation and oppression of the multitudes of human beings in whose name it pretends to speak.’
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Tenets of Liberal Humanism
- Structuralism vs. Liberal Humanism
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to analyze the shift from liberal humanism to late twentieth-century literary theories, particularly structuralism. It examines the core tenets of liberal humanism and compares them with the principles of structuralism, highlighting the contrasting views on the nature of literature, the role of the reader, and the interpretation of meaning.
- Tenets of Liberal Humanism
- Critique of Liberal Humanism
- Introduction to Structuralism
- Comparison of Liberal Humanism and Structuralism
- The concept of the "subject" in literary theory
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section lays the groundwork for the analysis by establishing the context of late twentieth-century literary theory as a reaction against liberal humanism. It introduces the key question of why liberal humanism, a dominant approach for a considerable time, was eventually challenged and superseded by newer theoretical perspectives. The introduction highlights the anti-humanist stance of many contemporary theories and sets the stage for a detailed examination of liberal humanism's tenets and their subsequent critique. The author emphasizes the need to understand liberal humanism before assessing its critique by later schools of thought.
Tenets of Liberal Humanism: This chapter delves into the fundamental principles of liberal humanism, drawing heavily on the work of Matthew Arnold. It identifies key tenets such as the timelessness of literature (based on the belief in unchanging human nature), the inherent meaning within texts (requiring no external contextualization), the importance of close reading with a "disinterested endeavor," and the organic coexistence of content and form. The chapter meticulously explains how these tenets contribute to the liberal humanist belief that literature's primary purpose is to enhance life by propagating the best that is known and thought. The detailed exploration of Arnold's views serves as the foundation for the subsequent critique.
Structuralism vs. Liberal Humanism: This chapter compares and contrasts the tenets of liberal humanism with those of structuralism. The author highlights the key differences in their views on the timelessness of literature, specifically the reasons behind this timelessness. While liberal humanism emphasizes timeless truths and values, structuralism focuses on uncovering permanent structures underlying texts. The chapter then delves into structuralism's rejection of the "transcendental subject," the notion of an individual whose essence transcends external influences. This rejection is linked to structuralism's different approach to textual analysis, which takes into account the role of language and its structures in shaping meaning and experience. The chapter also explores the structuralist perspective on the interpretation of literary works, contrasting it with the close reading method favored by liberal humanists.
Keywords
Liberal humanism, literary theory, structuralism, Matthew Arnold, close reading, timeless literature, human nature, the subject, language, interpretation, anti-humanism, textual analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Guide to Liberal Humanism and Structuralism
What is the text about?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of liberal humanism and structuralism, two major schools of literary theory. It analyzes their core tenets, compares their approaches to literary interpretation, and highlights the key differences in their understanding of literature, the reader, and meaning-making.
What are the main topics covered in the text?
The text covers the following key areas: the core tenets of liberal humanism (drawing heavily on Matthew Arnold's work); a critique of liberal humanism; an introduction to structuralism; a detailed comparison of liberal humanism and structuralism; and an examination of the concept of the "subject" within these theoretical frameworks. The text also includes chapter summaries and a list of keywords for easier navigation and understanding.
What are the key tenets of Liberal Humanism according to this text?
According to the text, key tenets of liberal humanism include the belief in the timelessness of literature (based on unchanging human nature), the inherent meaning within texts (requiring no external contextualization), the importance of close reading with a "disinterested endeavor," and the organic coexistence of content and form. The text emphasizes that these tenets contribute to the belief that literature's primary purpose is to enhance life by propagating the best that is known and thought.
How does the text compare Liberal Humanism and Structuralism?
The text contrasts the two approaches by highlighting their differing views on the timelessness of literature. While liberal humanism emphasizes timeless truths and values rooted in unchanging human nature, structuralism focuses on uncovering permanent structures underlying texts. A crucial difference lies in their understanding of the "transcendental subject," which liberal humanism embraces and structuralism rejects. This leads to contrasting approaches to textual analysis: close reading for liberal humanists and an examination of language structures for structuralists.
What is the significance of Matthew Arnold in this text?
Matthew Arnold's work serves as a primary source for understanding the tenets of liberal humanism. The text uses Arnold's ideas as a foundation for explaining the core principles of this theoretical approach and subsequently contrasting them with the principles of structuralism.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of the main arguments and key points discussed in each chapter, offering a quick and efficient way to grasp the essential information without having to read the entire text in detail.
What is the role of the "subject" in this text's comparison of the two theories?
The concept of the "subject"—the individual and their essence—is central to the comparison. Liberal humanism posits a transcendental subject whose essence transcends external influences, while structuralism rejects this notion, emphasizing the role of language and structures in shaping the individual and their experience.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
The keywords include: Liberal humanism, literary theory, structuralism, Matthew Arnold, close reading, timeless literature, human nature, the subject, language, interpretation, anti-humanism, textual analysis.
Who is the intended audience for this text?
The text is intended for an academic audience interested in literary theory, particularly those seeking to understand the shift from liberal humanism to later theoretical approaches like structuralism. The comprehensive nature of the preview suggests it is suitable for students and scholars alike.
- Citar trabajo
- Jenny Roch (Autor), 2006, 'Late twentieth-century theory can be considered first and foremost as a reaction against the tenets of liberal humanism', Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/50450
