MEG – 05
Literary Criticism & Theory
MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment January 2023
Q 1. Discuss Aristotle’s view of literature as imitation.
Ans. Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, is well known for his contributions to various fields, including ethics, politics, and metaphysics.
He is also considered one of the pioneers of literary criticism, having written extensively on the subject in his work, Poetics.
In this work, Aristotle presents his views on literature, including his famous concept of “mimesis,” or imitation. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
According to Aristotle, literature is a form of imitation, and the poet is an imitator. In other words, literature is not an exact representation of reality but rather a representation of reality through the artist’s imagination.
Aristotle argues that poetry is superior to history because poetry deals with universal truths while history is concerned with particular facts.
Poetry, he argues, is not about what has happened but rather what could happen or what should happen. Poetry, therefore, deals with the essence of things rather than their particulars.
Aristotle believes that imitation is natural to human beings and that it is through imitation that we learn. He argues that children learn to speak by imitating the sounds they hear around them. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Similarly, he argues that people learn moral values by observing the behavior of others and imitating their actions.
Literature, therefore, is a form of imitation that helps us understand the world around us.
It allows us to explore different perspectives, to empathize with others, and to learn about ourselves.
Aristotle distinguishes between two types of imitation: mimetic and diegetic. Mimetic imitation is when the artist imitates the actions of characters, while diegetic imitation is when the artist narrates the story.
Aristotle believes that mimetic imitation is superior to diegetic imitation because it is more vivid and compelling.
Mimetic imitation allows the audience to experience the emotions and actions of the characters, while diegetic imitation merely tells the story.
Aristotle also distinguishes between tragedy and comedy. Tragedy, he argues, is a form of imitation that evokes fear and pity in the audience.
Tragedy deals with serious and important subjects and involves the downfall of a noble character due to a tragic flaw or mistake.
Tragedy, therefore, is a form of imitation that allows us to confront our own mortality and to reflect on the human condition.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Comedy, on the other hand, is a form of imitation that evokes laughter and ridicule. Comedy deals with less serious subjects and involves the triumph of a flawed character over adversity.
Comedy, therefore, is a form of imitation that allows us to laugh at ourselves and to reflect on the absurdity of the human condition.
Aristotle’s concept of mimesis has been influential in the study of literature and the arts.
It has been used to explain the relationship between art and reality and to analyze the techniques used by artists to create their works.
Mimesis has also been used to distinguish between different forms of art and to evaluate their artistic merit.
However, Aristotle’s concept of mimesis has also been criticized. Some critics argue that it is too simplistic and that it does not take into account the complexity of literary works.
They argue that literary works are not mere imitations of reality but are complex representations that require interpretation and analysis.
One of the strengths of Aristotle’s view of literature as imitation is its emphasis on the importance of art in human life. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Aristotle believed that literature was not just a form of entertainment but also a means of understanding the world and ourselves.
By imitating reality, literature allows us to explore different perspectives, to empathize with others, and to learn about ourselves.
Literature, therefore, plays an important role in shaping our moral and ethical values.
Another strength of Aristotle’s view of literature as imitation is its recognition of the importance of emotion in art.
Aristotle believed that art should evoke emotions in the audience, and that this emotional response was a crucial element of the artistic experience.
Through the emotions that literature evokes, we are able to connect with the characters and the story, and to feel a sense of catharsis or release.
Aristotle’s view of literature as imitation also highlights the importance of form in literature. Aristotle believed that the artist’s skill in shaping the form of the work was an essential part of its artistic merit. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The artist’s choice of language, structure, and style all contribute to the impact of the work on the audience.
By analyzing the form of literary works, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artistic techniques used by the author.
Finally, Aristotle’s view of literature as imitation has led to a tradition of literary criticism that continues to this day.
The study of literature as imitation has influenced literary theory and criticism, as well as the way in which we approach literary works.
By analyzing the techniques used by authors to imitate reality, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the artistic merit of the work and the ways in which it reflects and shapes our understanding of the world.
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Q 2. What do Wordsworth and Coleridge have to say on poetic diction.
Ans. William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge were two of the most important poets of the Romantic era in English literature.
They both shared a passion for the natural world and were concerned with how poetry could best represent the human experience.
One of the key issues that they debated was the use of poetic diction, or the language that poets use in their works.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Wordsworth was one of the leading proponents of a new kind of poetry that emphasized the use of plain language and the importance of the natural world.
In his “Preface to Lyrical Ballads,” which he wrote in 1800 with Coleridge, he argued that the language of poetry should be close to the language of everyday speech.
He believed that the language of poetry should be “a selection of the language really spoken by men” and that it should be “a language which is so far as possible a reflection of the manners and passions of men.”
Wordsworth was critical of the poetic diction that was prevalent in his time. He believed that poets were using a language that was too ornate and artificial, and that it had become divorced from the realities of everyday life.
He argued that this kind of language was not only difficult for ordinary readers to understand, but it also prevented poets from expressing the true emotions and experiences of the human condition.
In his view, poets needed to return to a simpler language that was closer to the language of ordinary people.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Wordsworth believed that the language of poetry should be closely connected to the natural world.
He argued that nature was the source of all true poetry and that it provided a language that was both simple and profound.
He believed that poets should seek to capture the essence of nature in their language, and that this would enable them to express the deepest truths of the human experience.
For Wordsworth, the language of poetry was a means of connecting the individual to the natural world and of exploring the fundamental questions of human existence.
Coleridge had a more complex view of poetic diction than Wordsworth. While he shared Wordsworth’s concerns about the artificiality of poetic language, he believed that there was a place for more ornate and complex language in poetry.
In his “Biographia Literaria,” he argued that there were two kinds of language: the language of common life and the language of poetry.
He believed that the language of poetry should be a “modified language” that was distinct from the language of everyday speech.
He saw this language as a means of elevating the ordinary and giving it a greater significance.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Coleridge believed that poetic language had a transformative power that could bring the reader closer to the divine.
He argued that the language of poetry should be rich and complex, with a range of different tones and registers.
He believed that this kind of language could create a sense of heightened emotion and imagination that would enable the reader to experience the world in a new way.
While Wordsworth and Coleridge had different views on poetic diction, they both shared a belief in the importance of the imagination in poetry.
They believed that poetry was not just a reflection of the world, but also a means of shaping it.
They saw the poet as a visionary who could use language to create new worlds and new ways of seeing. For both poets, the imagination was the key to unlocking the deepest truths of the human experience.
In conclusion, Wordsworth and Coleridge had different views on poetic diction, with Wordsworth advocating for a simpler, more natural language and Coleridge arguing for a more complex and ornate language.
However, both poets shared a belief in the importance of the imagination in poetry and saw language as a means of shaping the world.
Their debates about poetic diction reflect the larger concerns of the Romantic era in English literature, which was characterized by a focus on the individual, the natural world, and the power of the imagination.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Q 3. Write short notes on the following:
a) Catharsis
Ans. Catharsis is a term used in literary theory to describe the emotional release or purification that a reader or viewer may experience after engaging with a work of art.
The term has its origins in Greek philosophy and was first used by Aristotle in his “Poetics” to describe the effect that tragic drama could have on the audience.
According to Aristotle, catharsis is achieved through the experience of pity and fear that is evoked by a tragic play. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
As the audience witnesses the tragic events on stage, they are able to empathize with the characters and experience their emotions vicariously.
This emotional engagement allows the audience to undergo a kind of emotional purification, as they are able to release their own feelings of pity and fear in a controlled and safe environment.
The concept of catharsis has been a subject of debate among literary theorists. Some have argued that catharsis is a purely intellectual process, while others have suggested that it is a more visceral and emotional experience.
Some have also questioned whether catharsis is a necessary component of literature, or whether it is simply one possible effect that literature can have on its readers or viewers.
Despite these debates, the idea of catharsis continues to be an important concept in literary theory. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
It is often seen as a way of understanding how literature can have a transformative effect on its audience, by allowing them to engage with their emotions in a profound and meaningful way.
Whether or not catharsis is a necessary component of literature, it remains a powerful and enduring idea that continues to shape the way we think about the role of art in our lives.
(b) Auchitya
(b) Auchitya is a Sanskrit term used in Indian literary theory to describe the quality of appropriateness or relevance in a literary work.
The term comes from the Sanskrit word “auchit,” which means “fitting” or “appropriate.” Auchitya is closely related to the concept of rasa, or the aesthetic experience that is created by a work of art.
In Indian literary theory, auchitya is considered to be an important quality in poetry and drama. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
It refers to the idea that a work of art should be appropriate to its context and should be able to evoke the appropriate emotions and responses from its audience.
This means that a poem or play should be able to capture the essence of its subject matter in a way that is both truthful and resonant.
Auchitya is closely related to the idea of dhvani, or suggestion, in Indian literary theory.
According to this theory, a work of art should not simply describe its subject matter, but should also suggest deeper meanings and emotions through its language and imagery. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Auchitya is thus seen as a way of ensuring that a work of art is able to communicate its meaning effectively and powerfully.
(c) Superstructure
(c) Superstructure is a term used in Marxist literary theory to describe the cultural and ideological aspects of a society that are built upon its economic base.
According to Marxist theory, society is made up of two main components: the economic base, which includes the means of production and the relations of production, and the superstructure, which includes all of the cultural, legal, and ideological institutions that are built upon the economic base.
In Marxist literary theory, the superstructure includes literature, art, philosophy, religion, and other cultural and intellectual products.
These cultural products are seen as being shaped by the economic base, and as serving to reinforce and legitimize the dominant economic and social relations of a society.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
For example, in a capitalist society, the superstructure might include novels, films, and other cultural products that celebrate individualism, competition, and consumerism.
These cultural products are seen as serving to reinforce and legitimize the economic base of capitalism, by promoting the idea that individual success and consumption are the keys to happiness and fulfillment.
According to Marxist theory, the superstructure is not a neutral or independent entity, but is rather shaped by the economic base.
This means that cultural products are not created in a vacuum, but are rather shaped by the economic and social conditions in which they are produced.
In addition, the superstructure is seen as being closely linked to the struggle for political and economic power, with cultural products often serving as a battleground for competing ideological and political forces.
(d) ‘Pleasure’ and ‘instruction’ as ends of literature
Ans (d) In literary theory, there has been a longstanding debate about the purpose of literature. One of the most influential theories is that literature serves two primary ends: pleasure and instruction.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Pleasure refers to the enjoyment that readers derive from literature. According to this theory, literature should be aesthetically pleasing, and should provide readers with a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction.
This can be achieved through the use of language, imagery, and narrative techniques that are designed to capture the reader’s imagination and emotions.
Instruction, on the other hand, refers to the educational and moral value of literature.
According to this theory, literature should teach readers something about the world, whether it is a historical event, a cultural tradition, or a moral lesson.
Literature can also be used to promote social or political change, by challenging readers’ assumptions and encouraging them to think critically about the world around them.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The idea that literature should serve both pleasure and instruction can be traced back to the classical tradition, where literature was seen as having both an aesthetic and a moral purpose.
However, the relationship between these two ends of literature has been the subject of much debate.
Some critics argue that literature should prioritize pleasure over instruction, and that a work of literature’s primary goal should be to provide readers with enjoyment and emotional satisfaction.
Others argue that literature should prioritize instruction over pleasure, and that a work of literature’s primary goal should be to teach readers something about the world or to promote social change.
Q 4. What does I. A. Richards talk about in Practical Criticism?
Ans. Practical Criticism, written by I.A. Richards and first published in 1929, is a landmark work in the field of literary criticism.
The book is based on a series of experiments conducted by Richards and his colleagues, in which students were asked to read and analyze poems without any knowledge of the author or the literary context in which they were written.
Richards sought to demonstrate that close reading and careful analysis of a text could yield valuable insights into its meaning and structure, independent of any external factors.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
In Practical Criticism, Richards begins by arguing that literary criticism should be focused on the text itself, rather than on external factors such as the author’s biography or the historical context in which the work was produced.
He contends that the meaning of a text is not fixed or predetermined, but is rather created through the interaction between the reader and the text.
To demonstrate this point, Richards describes the experiments he conducted with his students, in which they were given poems to read and analyze without any knowledge of the author or the literary context in which the poems were written.
Richards found that the students were able to produce insightful and thoughtful readings of the poems, despite their lack of knowledge about the author or the historical context.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Richards also argues that literary criticism should be grounded in a careful analysis of language.
He contends that the meaning of a text is not simply conveyed through its content or subject matter, but is also shaped by the language and literary techniques used by the author.
Richards advocates for a close reading of the language of a text, in order to uncover the subtle nuances and complexities of its meaning.
Another important concept in Practical Criticism is the idea of “suggestion.” Richards contends that the meaning of a text is not always explicit or direct, but is often conveyed through indirect or suggestive language.
He argues that the reader must be attuned to the various forms of suggestion in a text, in order to fully understand its meaning.
In addition to these theoretical concepts, Practical Criticism is also notable for its emphasis on the practical skills of literary analysis.
Richards provides a detailed methodology for analyzing a text, including techniques for identifying the key features of a text, analyzing its structure and language, and interpreting its meaning.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Overall, Practical Criticism represents a significant contribution to the field of literary criticism.
Richards’ emphasis on the importance of close reading and language analysis has had a lasting impact on the field, and his focus on the text itself, rather than on external factors, remains a cornerstone of modern literary criticism.
Q 5. Comment on Lacan’s main contribution to critical theory
Ans. Jacques Lacan was a French psychoanalyst and philosopher who made significant contributions to critical theory in the 20th century.
His ideas on language, desire, and the unconscious have had a profound impact on fields such as literature, film, and cultural studies.
One of Lacan’s most important contributions to critical theory is his theory of the “mirror stage.” MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
According to Lacan, the mirror stage is a crucial phase in human development, during which an infant recognizes its own image in a mirror or other reflective surface.
This moment of self-recognition is significant because it marks the beginning of the process of subject formation, in which the individual develops a sense of identity and a relation to the world.
Lacan’s theory of the mirror stage has important implications for literary and cultural analysis, as it suggests that our sense of self and identity are deeply intertwined with our perception of the world around us.
In literary texts and other forms of cultural expression, the theme of self-discovery and the search for identity is a common motif, and Lacan’s theory helps to illuminate the ways in which these themes are shaped by our psychological and social experiences.
Another key concept in Lacan’s work is the idea of the “symbolic order.” According to Lacan, the symbolic order is the realm of language and culture, in which our desires and experiences are mediated through symbolic structures such as language, laws, and cultural norms. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The symbolic order is central to Lacan’s understanding of the human psyche, as it shapes our sense of self and our relation to others.
Lacan’s theory of the symbolic order has had a significant impact on literary and cultural studies, as it suggests that our experiences of culture and language are deeply intertwined with our psychological and emotional lives.
In literary texts and other forms of cultural expression, the symbolic order is often represented through themes such as power, language, and identity, and Lacan’s work helps to illuminate the complex ways in which these themes are intertwined.
Another important concept in Lacan’s work is the idea of the “desire for the Other.” According to Lacan, our desires are shaped by our relations with others, and are often driven by a desire to be recognized by and connected to others.
This desire for the Other is a fundamental aspect of the human psyche, and is central to our sense of identity and our relation to the world.
Lacan’s theory of desire has had a significant impact on literary and cultural studies, as it suggests that our experiences of desire and connection are deeply intertwined with our psychological and emotional lives.
In literary texts and other forms of cultural expression, the theme of desire is a common motif, and Lacan’s work helps to illuminate the complex ways in which desire is intertwined with issues of power, identity, and language.
Finally, Lacan’s work on the unconscious has had a significant impact on critical theory, particularly in the field of psychoanalytic criticism.
According to Lacan, the unconscious is not simply a repository of repressed desires and impulses, but is also a complex system of symbolic structures that shape our experiences of the world.MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Lacan’s understanding of the unconscious has had a significant impact on literary and cultural studies, as it suggests that our experiences of culture and language are deeply intertwined with our psychological and emotional lives.
In literary texts and other forms of cultural expression, the unconscious is often represented through themes such as dreams, memory, and the irrational, and Lacan’s work helps to illuminate the complex ways in which these themes are intertwined with our experiences of the world.
Overall, Lacan’s contributions to critical theory have had a significant impact on literary and cultural studies.
His theories of the mirror stage, the symbolic order, desire, and the unconscious have helped to illuminate the complex ways in which our psychological and emotional lives are intertwined with the ways in which our psychological and emotional lives are intertwined with our experiences of language, culture, and the world around us. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Lacan’s work has also helped to bridge the gap between psychoanalytic theory and cultural criticism, as his theories have been applied to a wide range of cultural texts and practices, including literature, film, art, and popular culture.
One of the key strengths of Lacan’s approach is its emphasis on the role of language and culture in shaping our experiences of the world.
By foregrounding the ways in which our desires and experiences are mediated through symbolic structures, Lacan’s work helps to illuminate the complex ways in which culture and language shape our sense of self and our relation to others.
This emphasis on the role of language and culture has been particularly influential in poststructuralist and postmodern theory, which have sought to challenge the idea of a fixed and stable subjectivity.
However, Lacan’s work has also been subject to criticism, particularly in relation to his complex and sometimes opaque style of writing.
Some critics have argued that Lacan’s work is overly abstract and difficult to understand, and that his theories are often presented in an unnecessarily convoluted way. MEG 05 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Others have criticized Lacan’s approach for its emphasis on the symbolic and the linguistic at the expense of other aspects of human experience, such as embodiment and affect.