ThAct: Northrop Frye

This blog task is part of thinking activity given by Barad sir.

1.What is Archetypal Criticism? 

 does the archetypal critic do?

Ans-> Archetypal criticism is a literary theory that focuses on identifying and analyzing recurring symbols, characters, and themes known as archetypes in literature. These archetypes are universal patterns found across cultures and time periods, reflecting fundamental human experiences and emotions.

2. What is Frye trying prove by giving an analogy of ' Physics to Nature' and 'Criticism to Literature'?

Ans-> The archetypal critic examines texts to uncover these archetypal elements and explores how they contribute to the overall meaning and interpretation of the work. They analyze how archetypes shape characters, plot dynamics, and thematic development, providing insight into the deeper layers of a text's significance.

3. Share your views of Criticism as an organised body of knowledge. Mention relation of literature with history and philosophy.

Ans-> Northrop Frye's analogy of "Physics to Nature" and "Criticism to Literature" suggests that just as physics seeks to understand and explain the natural world, criticism seeks to understand and interpret literature. By likening criticism to the study of nature, Frye emphasizes the importance of creating frameworks and theories to analyze and interpret literature systematically.

4. Briefly explain inductive method with illustration of Shakespeare's Hamlet's Grave Digger's scene.

Ans-> Criticism as an organized body of knowledge encompasses various theories and approaches that scholars use to study literature. These include formalism, structuralism, psychoanalysis, and archetypal criticism, among others. Literature is closely intertwined with history and philosophy as it reflects the cultural, social, and philosophical contexts in which it was produced. Additionally, literature often explores fundamental human questions and themes, providing insights into the human experience across different historical periods and philosophical perspectives.

5. Briefly explain deductive method with reference to an analogy to Music, Painting, rhythm and pattern. Give examples of the outcome of deductive method.

Ans-> The inductive method involves drawing general conclusions or theories from specific observations or examples. In the case of Shakespeare's Hamlet, the grave digger's scene can be analyzed using the inductive method to derive broader insights into themes such as mortality, existential angst, and the nature of human existence based on the specific dialogue and actions of the characters in that scene.