The New Criticism vs. Reader-Response Theory

New Criticism emphasizes analyzing a literary work itself—its language, structure, and symbols—without considering the author's intentions or readers’ reactions. It treats the text as an independent, self-contained entity. In contrast, Reader-Response Theory focuses on how individual readers interpret a text, emphasizing personal experience, feelings, and responses. It suggests that meaning isn’t fixed but created through the reader’s engagement. While New Criticism seeks objective analysis of the text, Reader-Response values subjective interpretation, highlighting the importance of personal connection with literature.