The New Critical Idiom

The New Critical Idiom refers to a group of literary theories and approaches that emerged in the mid-20th century, emphasizing close reading and analysis of a text itself rather than external contexts like author’s life or historical background. Think of it as focusing solely on the words, structure, and language of a literary work to uncover meaning and artistic quality. This approach aims to understand a text’s intrinsic qualities, often treating literature as an autonomous art form. It became prominent as a way to analyze literature with objectivity, prioritizing the text's form and aesthetic features over external influences.