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How does literary theory differ from literary criticism and what are the main distinctions between the two?

Jose Veale

Literary theory and literary criticism are often used interchangeably, but there are some important differences between the two. While literary criticism is primarily focused on analyzing and interpreting individual literary works, literary theory is more concerned with studying the principles and methods of literary analysis as a whole. In other words, literary theory is about understanding the underlying principles of how we analyze literature, while literary criticism is about applying those principles to specific works.

One of the main distinctions between literary theory and literary criticism is their focus. Literary criticism is primarily concerned with analyzing individual texts, whereas literary theory is more concerned with larger questions about literature as a whole. Literary theory often looks at the broader cultural and historical context of literature, as well as how literary works relate to other fields of study like philosophy, psychology, and sociology. Literary criticism, on the other hand, is more focused on close reading of specific passages or themes within a particular work.

Another key difference between literary theory and literary criticism is the level of analysis. Literary criticism is focused on analyzing the text itself, looking at the language, themes, and patterns within the work. Literary theory, on the other hand, often takes a broader view, looking at how literary works fit into larger cultural and historical contexts. For example, literary theory might examine the ways in which a particular work reflects or challenges the dominant ideologies of its time, or how it relates to other literary movements or schools of thought.

Despite these differences, literary theory and literary criticism are often closely intertwined. Many literary theorists also engage in literary criticism, and vice versa. Both fields are essential for understanding and analyzing literature, and they work together to help us better understand the complex and often multifaceted meanings of literary works. Whether you are a literary critic or a literary theorist, there is always something new and interesting to discover about the fascinating world of literature.