Understanding the Approaches to Practical Criticism
Pragmatic approach: (Effect on the audience
)
The Pragmatic Approach is a literary theory that focuses on the effect a literary work has on its reader or audience. It is concerned with what the text is trying to achieve, such as:
- Teaching a moral lesson
- Creating an emotional response (like fear, sympathy, joy)
- Persuading or influencing the audience’s thoughts or actions
In short, the pragmatic approach asks:
- What is this work doing to the reader?
- What message or effect does it want to leave behind?
Key Features of the Pragmatic Approach
1. Reader-Centered: The main focus is on how the reader responds to the text
2. Moral or Social Purpose: Often looks at the lessons, messages, or influence the work has on behaviour or thinking
3. Emotional Impact: It considers whether the story or poem is meant to move, entertain, or provoke
How to Identify the Pragmatic Approach in a Text
Ask yourself:
- Is the story or poem trying to teach a lesson?
- Does it evoke strong emotions in the reader (e.g., pity, fear, anger)?
- Is it trying to change the way we think or act?
If yes, then the pragmatic approach is the best lens for analyzing the text.
Objective approach
The Objective Approach focuses entirely on the literary text itself—its form, structure, style, language, and techniques—without considering the author’s life, background, intention, or the reader’s emotional response. It is also known as the Formalistic Approach or Text-Centered Criticism. This approach sees a literary work as an independent object, complete in itself. Meaning is drawn from within the text, not from external influences.
Key Features of the Objective Approach
1. Focus on the Text Alone: No need for the author’s biography, historical background, or reader’s reaction
2. Close Reading: Careful analysis of literary elements like diction, imagery, symbolism, tone, and structure
3. Unity of Form and Content: Meaning is revealed through the relationship between the form (structure) and the content (message)
How to Identify the Objective Approach in a Text
Ask yourself:
- Am I analyzing only what is written and how it is written?
- Am I focusing on literary devices, theme, tone, style, and organization?
- Am I avoiding the author’s intention, history, or reader’s reaction?
Expressive theory
The Expressive Theory is a literary approach that focuses on the author—their feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and experiences—as expressed in the literary work. It views literature as a direct expression of the writer’s inner life or personality.
This approach sees a literary work as a reflection of the author’s mind, emotions, and worldview.
Key Features of the Expressive Approach
1. Author-Centered: The main focus is on the writer’s intention, background, and personal emotions
2. Literature as Self-Expression: The text is viewed as a mirror of the author’s soul, capturing their feelings about life, society, or a specific issue
3. Emotional Content: The emotional tone of the work is often linked to the author’s real-life experiences (e.g., trauma, joy, love, grief, political beliefs)
How to Identify the Expressive Approach in a Text
Ask yourself:
- Does the work reflect the author’s personal feelings or experiences?
- Can the poem or story be connected to the writer’s life or struggles?
- Is the writer speaking directly or indirectly through a persona?
How to Know the Best Literary Approach to Use
APPROACH
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THE TEXT
HELPFUL CLUE/QUESTION
Mimetic
Real-life situations, social problems (e.g., poverty, injustice, war, corruption), characters and settings that reflect actual human experiences
Does this reflect real life or society?
Pragmatic
Strong emotional appeal, message that teaches or persuades, clear moral lesson or call to action
Is the writer trying to influence the reader’s thoughts, emotions, or behaviour?
Objective
Focus on literary elements (theme, imagery, symbols, diction), no need for the author’s life or context
Can I analyze this based only on what is written in the text?
Expressive
Deep emotional tone, text sounds like personal reflection, autobiographical hints (like grief, love, trauma, rebellion), the writer speaks through persona
Is the writer expressing personal feelings or beliefs?
Tips to Decide Quickly in Exams
- If the story reflects society: Use Mimetic
- If the text teaches or moves you: Use Pragmatic
- If the author’s tone is emotional or the text is deeply personal: Use Expressive
- If you can analyze the text alone: Use Objective
References
1. Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. 7th ed., Thomson Wadsworth, 1999.
2. Richards, I. A. Practical Criticism: A Study of Literary Judgment. Routledge, 1929.
3. Lazar, Gillian. Literature and Language Teaching: A Guide for Teachers and Trainers. Cambridge University Press, 1993.
4. JUPEB. English Literature Syllabus and Past Question Papers, 2017–2023.