Three Basic Groups in Literary Theories ( Muntiara Grasia P)

In order to get pleasure and entertainment, people need something called literature. If I mention the word literature, I believe that you will sort of like imagining the things like poems, novels, short stories, etc. However, the term literature itself has broader meanings and consists of many things. Drama and plays also belong to literature. However, to make it simple, this essay will deal with novels and short stories only. For some educational purposes, students of literature are encouraged to analyze the work of literature in order to get deeper meanings by using literary theories. In general, based on the content of those literary theories, they can be classified into three major groups, which are called intrinsic theories, extrinsic theories, and cultural studies. The complete explanation will be exposed more in the following paragraphs.

Firstly, in order to get the beauty of the literature, it is preferable to use the intrinsic theories. This category consists of several theories named Structuralism, Formalism and New Criticism; which are almost similar from one to another. Generally, it has the similar bound and understanding; it values the literariness inside the texts. The fundamental questions to begin analyzing with these theories are what literature is and what makes literature is literature. The process is by completely reading texts then evaluating the aspects inside the texts. It also needs the ability of understanding the form of the texts and grammatical rules of sentences. Several important people who are popular with these theories are Ferdinand Strausse, Plato, and Aristotle. The differences between these three theories are just in a matter of purpose and process. In Structuralism, you have to find the structure of the texts then try to find and place the structure(s) in order to generate one basic idea about that text. Whereas Structuralism seems to find the structure, Formalism offers a simpler idea. You have to understand the text’s form(s) and then fulfill the form based on the texts. In contrast to these two, New Formalism tends to question the paradox aspects in texts and derive the meanings based on those aspects. So in this category, you will be able to enjoy the explicit understanding related to the theme of the texts.

Secondly, to understand the phenomena beyond the text, it is better to use the extrinsic theories to analyze some literary works. This category consists of three theories named Marxism, Feminism, and Post Colonialism. Generally, these theories seem to expose the deep structure; or simply identified as meanings beyond the texts that sometimes covered by the author’s ability to hide it. Several people who initiate these theories are Karl Marx, Butler, etc. The basic understanding of these three is that literature; in this context is text, is the representative of the real society. However, each theory brings their specialty. Marxism is the theory about economy; it is solid that every activity in the society is basically searching the advantages and trying to overcome the power towards someone, some groups, or some societies. In contrast, Post Colonialism exposes the domination of White people towards colors and black people. Lastly, Feminism specifies the phenomena into a more specific aspect about the domination of men towards women. It explains how many things define as the men’s rules and demands. So, I believe that you will be challenged if you try these theories because you can see something beyond the basic understanding that usually written implicitly.

Lastly, to see the cultural aspects related to the work of literature, you better choose the cultural studies. This category consists of several theories which are named Sociology, Psychoanalysis theory, and Reader Response theory. Basically, these theories talk about something which is not really connected from one to another. In general, this category has a wider and broader process of analysis. These theories are questioning the connection between the extrinsic aspects of the author; like the background of life and also their work as the representative life of the author itself. Several people who are popular in these theories are Susan Boyle, Derrida, and Sigmund Freud. In Sociology theory, the analysis focuses on the social aspect of the literature itself like the author’s background. It is believed that literary works are so much influenced by the society so that will be easier for you to see the society condition at that time through the works itself. Next, in Psychoanalysis the analysis focuses on the psychological aspects of the character(s) and author. By understanding this aspect, you will be able to see the reason why these texts appear and also the effect of it. Lastly, the reader response theory is the summary of many literary theories that exist now. In this theory, the readers are free to use any theories that can support their arguments as long as those theories are valid. Based on that explanation, I believe that analyzing the cultural aspects of the texts is also very useful.

In conclusion, based on the explanation given in several paragraphs above, we can see how many theories are divided into three major groups based on their specialty. If you interested to find the beauty of the text, you can use the intrinsic theories. But if you interested to see the deeper meanings of texts you can use the extrinsic theories while Cultural studies can also be the option to see the social aspects on it. However, no one category is better than the other because they have their own characteristics to analyze the texts.