Cleanth Brooks

Cleanth Brooks was a prominent literary critic associated with the New Criticism movement, which focused on analyzing texts independently of external factors like author biography or historical context. He emphasized the importance of understanding a poem or literary work through its language, structure, and inherent themes. Brooks believed that the meaning of a work is found within the text itself, often advocating for close readings that explore how its various elements work together to create meaning. His influential ideas challenged readers to appreciate literature for its artistry rather than for its social or political messages.