Paper 109 - Literary Theory & Criticism and Indian Aesthetics.
Personal Information:-
Name:-Chavada Nanda
Batch:- M.A. Sem 2 (2023-2024)
EnrollmentNumber:-5108230012
E-mailAddress:-nandachavada@gmail.com
Roll Number:- 19
Assignment Details:-
Topic:-"I.A. Richards: Pioneering Literary Analysis and Figurative Language"
Paper & subject code:- 109 - Literary Theory & Criticism and Indian Aesthetics & 22402
Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English,
MKBU,Bhavnagar
Date of Submission:- 25/04/2024
Table of Contents:-
- Abstract
- Keywords
- Introduction
- I. A. Richards
- I.A. Richards’s ‘Practical Criticism’
- What is this Practical Criticism about?
- "I.A. Richards: Pioneering Literary Analysis and Figurative Language"
- Conclusion
- Works Cited
Abstract :
I.A. Richards to literary criticism and language analysis, focusing on his pioneering concept of practical criticism. It examines Richards' fundamental works such as "The Meaning of Meaning" (1923), "Principles of Literary Criticism" (1924), and "Practical Criticism" (1929), which have significantly influenced modern poetics and New Criticism. Richards advocated for a close reading approach, urging readers to analyze literary texts without preconceptions and to focus solely on the language itself. Practical Criticism, characterized by experiments where students analyzed poems without context, emphasized understanding emotions and meanings within the text. Richards classified four kinds of meaning—sense, feeling, tone, and intention—and delineated the scientific and emotive uses of language. Additionally, the paper discusses Richards' insights into figurative language and its impact on poetry analysis. By elucidating Richards' theories and methodologies, this paper underscores his enduring influence on literary discourse and the understanding of language.
Keywords: I.A. Richards, practical criticism, close reading, literary analysis, New Criticism, language, figurative language, sense, feeling, tone, intention, scientific language, emotive language, metaphor, simile, poetry.
"I.A. Richards: Pioneering Literary Analysis and Figurative Language"
Introduction:
I.A .Richards was a poet, dramatist, speculative philosopher, psychologist is among the first of the 20th century critics to bring to English criticism a pscientific precision and objectivity. He is often referred to as the ‘critical consciousness’ of the modern age.He is a pioneer of New criticism. New Criticism and the whole of modern poetics derive their strength and inspiration from the seminal writings of Richards such as Principles of Literary Criticism, Practical Criticism, Coleridge on Imagination, The Foundation of Aesthetics and The Meaning of Meaning .
His path Breaking Works are :
1) The meaning of meaning : 1923
2) The principles of Literary Criticism : 1924
3) The practical Criticism : 1929
About the Author
Background: Born on February 26, 1893, in Sandbach, Cheshire, England.
Education: Attended Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Career at Cambridge: Lecturer in English and moral sciences from 1922 to 1929.
Influential Works: "The Meaning of Meaning" (1923), "Principles of Literary Criticism" (1924), and "Practical Criticism" (1929).
Close Reading Method: Pioneered the concept of close reading in literary analysis, promoting "practical criticism."
Basic English: Developed Basic English, a simplified language system, in the 1930s.
International Work: Traveled to China as a visiting professor and promoted Basic English.
Academic Career at Harvard: Joined Harvard University as a professor of English in 1939.
Theoretical Works: Engaged in speculative and theoretical writings on science, poetry, and rhetoric.
Philosophical Views: Saw poetry as a therapeutic tool, advocating for a "poetry of inclusion."
Legacy: His contributions continue to influence literary criticism, language development, and philosophical inquiry.
What is this Practical Criticism about (In Simple Words) :
According to Richards, the reader should approach a literary text without any preconceptions, assumptions or biases, and focus exclusively on the language of the text itself. The reader should examine the words, phrases, sentences, and overall structure of the text, and try to derive its meaning from this analysis alone. This approach is known as "close reading", and it is intended to help the reader understand the text on its own terms, rather than imposing external ideas or interpretations onto it.
Practical Criticism is often associated with the study of modernist literature, which is characterized by its experimentation with form, language, and meaning. Richards believed that modernist literature required a new approach to literary analysis, one that rejected traditional methods of interpretation and relied instead on the reader's own response to the text. Practical Criticism has had a significant influence on literary criticism and theory, and it remains a popular approach to literary analysis today.
Practical `Criticism :
Practical Criticism is like formal studies of English Literature. It began into 1920 with a series of experiments by the Cambridge Critic I.A.Richards. He gave poems to his students without any information about who wrote them , when they were written and what is the title of the poem .
In the practical criticism of 1929. He reported on and analysed the result of his experiments. The main objective of his work was to encourage students to concentrate on the words on the page rather than dependent on the preconceived or received belief about the text. It is for responding to all the currents of emotion and meaning in the poems and passages of prose which they read the students were to achieve what Richards called an organised response. This meant that they would clarify the various currents of thought in the poem and achieve a corresponding clarification of their own emotions.
1) Four kinds of Meaning
2) Two uses of Language
3) Figurative language
● 1) Four kinds of Meaning :
Practical Criticism is first focused on The Meaning of Meaning and The Philosophy of Rhetoric. Richards advocates a close textual and verbal analysis of poetry. Language is important. Language is made up of words and the study of words is of the paramount importance in the understanding of a work of art. According to Richards the words communicate four kinds of meaning : Sense, Feeling, Tone and Intention. So the Poetry communicates through the interplay of these four types of meanings.The metaphorical meaning arises from the inter-relations.
1) Sense :
Sense is that which is communicated by the plain literal meanings of the words.
2) Feeling : Feeling refers to the feelings of the writer or speaker about these items, about the state of affairs he is referring to.Feeling refers to emotions. Emotional attitude, will, attitude, desire, pleasure, displeasure.
“The sound of a word has much to do with the feeling it evokes.”
- I.A. Richards.
He has an attitude towards it, some special interest, some personal flavor or coloring of it and he uses language to express these feelings. In poetry the sense and feeling have a mutual dependence. So In the poetry sense and feeling both have mutual connection.
3) Tone :
Tone means the attitude of the writer towards his readers. The writer or the speaker chooses and arranges the words differently as his audience depending on his relation to them.
4) Intention :
Intention refers to the effect one tries to produce, which modifies one’s expression. It controls the emphasis and shapes the arrangement. So understanding all these aspects is part of the meaning of poetry.
Generally sense predominates in the scientific language and feeling in the poetic language. The figurative language used by poets conveys emotions effectively and forcefully. Words also acquire a rich associative value in different contexts. The meaning of words is also determined by rhythm and meter.
● Two uses of Language :
Richards in his “Principles of Literary Criticism” expounded a theory of language, and distinguished between the two uses of language:
1) Scientific
2) Emotive
1) Scientific use of language :
In the scientific statement may be used for the sake of reference, which may be verified as true or false. This is the scientific use of language. But it may also be used for the sake of the effects in emotions and attitudes produced by the reference.
2) Emotive Use of language :
In the emotive or poetic use of language. The poet uses words emotively for the purpose of evoking emotions and attitudes considered valuable by him. For example the word ‘fire’ has only one definite scientific reference to a fact in the real world. But when poetry uses it in a phrase such as ‘heart on fire’ the word evokes an emotion that of excitement.
So the science makes statements and the poetry makes pseudo-statements that cannot be empirically tested and proved true or false. Poetry communicates feelings and emotions. poetic truth is different from scientific truth. It is a matter of emotional belief rather than intellectual belief. Poetry does not give us knowledge. Poetry does not speak to mind but it comes from inner voice or impulses. So poetry is on the experiences of poets.
● Three objectives to write The Practical Criticism:
1.)To introduce a new kind of documentation to those who are interested in the contemporary state of culture as critics, philosophers, as teachers, as psychologists or merely as curious persons.
2 )To provide new techniques for those who wish to discover for themselves what they think and feel about poetry and why they should like or dislike it.
3.) To prepare the way for educational methods more efficient than those we use now in developing discrimination and the power to understand what we hear and read.
● Four misunderstanding of language :
1. Misunderstanding of the sense of poetry: Careless, intuitive reading (rhyme or irregular syntax).
2. Over-literal reading – prosaic reading.
3. Defective scholarship.
4. Difference in meaning of words in poetry and prose.
So during the read text or poem reader may fail to understand the sense of the poet because he is ignorant of poet’s sense. The more serious cause of misunderstanding is the failure to realise that the poetic use of words is different from an assumption about the language that can be fatal to poetry. So the Literary is one serious obstacle in the way of a right understanding of the poetic words.so it creates the misunderstanding in the poetry.
● Mixed use of Metaphors :
“A metaphor is a shift, a carrying over of a word from its normal use to a new use”.
1.Sense Metaphors
2. Emotive Metaphors
1) Sense Metaphors :
In the Sense Metaphor the shift is due to a similarity between the original object and the new one.
2) Emotive Metaphors :
In the Emotive metaphor the shift is due to a similarity between the feelings the new situation and the normal situation arouse.
● 3) Figurative language :
• Smilies :
Similes occur in both poetry and prose and they may be short and simple or long and extended. They provide an important indication of an author or speaker’s Tone and that is implied attitude towards the subject. As with Metaphors it means to use a comparison that reflects some key quality of the literal subject.
The use of figurative language can create problems. It is difficult to turn poetry into logical respectable prose. So in the figurative language use for enjoyment and understanding of the best poetry. It requires a sensitivity and discrimination with words, a nicely imaginativeness and deftness in taking their sense which will prevent the poem in question in its original form receiving the approval of the most attentive readers.
Example :
Solemn and gray...
“Solemn and gray, the immense clouds of even
Pass on their towering unperturbed way
Through the vast whitness of the rain-swept heaven.
The moving pageants of the waming day.
Heavy with dreams, desires, prognostications.
Brooding with sullen and Titanic crests.
They surge, whose mantles’ wise imaginations.
Trail where Earth’s mute and langurous body rests.
While below the Hawthrons smile, like milk splashed down.
From Noop’s blue pitcher over mead and hill
The arrased distance is so dim with flowers.
It seems itself some coloured cloud made still.
O how the clouds this dying daylight crown.
With the tremendous triumph of fall towers.”
Analysis of poem : In this poem poet uses many Figurative language. Many things are happens in this poetry and that can't be happen in reality for example :
• A cloud cannot have ‘desires.’
• A mantle cannot have ‘imaginations.’
• ‘Imaginations’ cannot ‘trail.'
• ‘Milk’ does not ‘smile.’
• ‘Dim with flowers’ is rather weak, for flowers are bright thing
•‘Tall towers’ do not ‘triumph’ so far as I know, As how I never saw one doing it! Might be an interesting sight!.’
So there are many things that shows the use of Figurative language in the poetry. The poetic figures creates the problem or misunderstanding during the reading of poem.it is also enhance the charm of poetry but many time it difficult to understand poem.
Conclusion :
I.A. Richards stands as a towering figure in the realms of literary criticism, language development, and philosophical inquiry. His pioneering work in practical criticism revolutionized the way literature is approached, emphasizing close textual analysis and the importance of understanding the multiple layers of meaning within a text. Through his experiments with students at Cambridge, Richards sought to foster an appreciation for the nuances of language and the emotional resonance of poetry.
Richards' classification of four kinds of meaning—sense, feeling, tone, and intention—provided a framework for readers to delve deeper into the complexities of literary works. By distinguishing between the scientific and emotive uses of language, he highlighted the transformative power of poetry in evoking emotions and attitudes beyond mere factual statements.
Furthermore, Richards' exploration of figurative language, including metaphors and similes, elucidated the challenges and rewards of deciphering poetic imagery. While figurative language adds richness and depth to poetry, it also requires readers to navigate through layers of symbolism and abstraction.
In essence, I.A. Richards' contributions continue to resonate in contemporary literary discourse, inspiring generations of critics, scholars, and poets to engage with texts in a more nuanced and introspective manner. By promoting a poetry of inclusion and advocating for a deeper understanding of language, Richards leaves behind a lasting legacy that enriches our appreciation of literature and the human experience.
Words count :2352
Images : 2
Works Cited
9 November 2017, http://dilipbarad.blogspot.in/2014/12/ia-richards-figurative-language.html?m=1. Accessed 25 April 2024.
“Faculty of English.” Faculty of English, https://www.english.cam.ac.uk/classroom/pracrit.htm. Accessed 25 April 2024.
“I.A. Richards | British Critic, Poet & Literary Theorist.” Britannica, 4 April 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/I-A-Richards. Accessed 25 April 2024.
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