Moral Formalism vs. New Criticism

Attribute	Moral Formalism	New Criticism
Focus	Emphasizes moral values and ethical principles in literary analysis	Focuses on the text itself, independent of authorial intent or moral considerations
Interpretation	Interprets literature based on its moral implications and ethical messages	Interprets literature based on close reading of the text and formal elements
Authorial Intent	Considers authorial intent and background in analyzing literary works	Rejects consideration of authorial intent in favor of text-based analysis
Textual Analysis	Looks at the text in relation to moral principles and ethical standards	Focuses on analyzing the text itself, including language, structure, and symbolism

Moral Formalism

Moral formalism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the importance of moral principles and rules in evaluating the ethical implications of actions. It posits that moral judgments can be made based on objective criteria and universal principles, rather than subjective feelings or consequences. In the context of literature, moral formalism focuses on the ethical messages and values conveyed by a text, and how they align with established moral norms and standards.

One of the key attributes of moral formalism is its emphasis on the moral content of a literary work. Proponents of this approach argue that literature should be evaluated based on its ability to convey moral lessons and insights, and to promote ethical behavior and values. Moral formalism seeks to uncover the underlying moral messages and themes in a text, and to assess their significance in shaping readers' moral understanding and judgment.

Another characteristic of moral formalism is its reliance on moral absolutes and universal principles. Advocates of this approach believe that there are objective moral truths that are applicable to all individuals and societies, regardless of cultural or historical context. By adhering to a set of moral rules and principles, moral formalism aims to provide a clear and consistent framework for evaluating the ethical content of literary works.

Furthermore, moral formalism places a strong emphasis on the role of the author in shaping the moral dimensions of a text. It considers the intentions and beliefs of the author to be crucial in interpreting the ethical messages and values embedded in the work. By examining the author's moral perspective and worldview, moral formalism seeks to uncover the moral purpose and significance of the text.

Overall, moral formalism offers a structured and systematic approach to evaluating the ethical content of literature, based on universal moral principles and the intentions of the author. It emphasizes the importance of moral messages and values in shaping readers' moral understanding and judgment, and provides a framework for assessing the ethical implications of literary works.

New Criticism

New Criticism is a literary theory that emerged in the early 20th century, focusing on the close reading and analysis of texts as self-contained works of art. It emphasizes the importance of the text itself, rather than external factors such as authorial intention or historical context, in interpreting and evaluating literature. New Criticism seeks to uncover the inherent complexities and ambiguities of a text through a rigorous examination of its formal elements and structures.

One of the key attributes of New Criticism is its emphasis on the autonomy and integrity of the text. Proponents of this approach argue that a literary work should be treated as a self-contained and self-sufficient entity, with its meaning and significance derived solely from the text itself. New Criticism encourages readers to focus on the formal elements of a text, such as language, imagery, and symbolism, in order to uncover its deeper layers of meaning and complexity.

Another characteristic of New Criticism is its rejection of extrinsic factors in literary analysis. Unlike other literary theories that consider authorial intention, historical context, or reader response, New Criticism advocates for a purely formalist approach that prioritizes the text as the primary source of meaning. By disregarding external influences, New Criticism aims to promote a more objective and rigorous analysis of literature, focusing on the text's inherent qualities and structures.

Furthermore, New Criticism emphasizes the importance of ambiguity and paradox in literary texts. It argues that literature is inherently complex and open to multiple interpretations, and that the meaning of a text is not fixed or definitive. New Criticism encourages readers to engage with the uncertainties and contradictions within a text, and to appreciate the richness and depth of its formal elements and structures.

Overall, New Criticism offers a formalist approach to literary analysis that prioritizes the text itself as the primary source of meaning and significance. It emphasizes the autonomy and integrity of the text, rejecting extrinsic factors in favor of a rigorous examination of its formal elements and structures. New Criticism encourages readers to engage with the complexities and ambiguities of a text, in order to uncover its deeper layers of meaning and complexity.

Comparative Analysis

When comparing Moral Formalism and New Criticism, it becomes evident that both approaches share a focus on the formal elements of literature. While Moral Formalism emphasizes the moral content and ethical implications of a text, New Criticism prioritizes the formal qualities and structures of a literary work. Both approaches encourage readers to engage with the text itself, rather than external factors, in interpreting and evaluating literature.

However, a key difference between Moral Formalism and New Criticism lies in their respective goals and objectives. Moral Formalism seeks to uncover the moral messages and values embedded in a text, and to assess their significance in shaping readers' moral understanding and judgment. On the other hand, New Criticism aims to explore the inherent complexities and ambiguities of a text, focusing on its formal elements and structures to uncover its deeper layers of meaning and complexity.

Furthermore, Moral Formalism places a strong emphasis on the intentions and beliefs of the author in interpreting the ethical content of a text. It considers the author's moral perspective and worldview to be crucial in understanding the moral purpose and significance of the work. In contrast, New Criticism disregards authorial intention and external influences, focusing solely on the text itself as the source of meaning and significance.

In conclusion, while Moral Formalism and New Criticism share a formalist approach to literary analysis, they differ in their goals and emphasis. Moral Formalism prioritizes the moral content and ethical implications of a text, focusing on the intentions of the author and universal moral principles. On the other hand, New Criticism emphasizes the autonomy and integrity of the text, rejecting extrinsic factors in favor of a rigorous examination of its formal elements and structures. Both approaches offer valuable insights into the interpretation and evaluation of literature, highlighting the diverse ways in which texts can be analyzed and appreciated.