CL - Critical Lens for Reading Literature Module Overview

Critical Lens for Reading Literature

Introduction

As we start to focus upon modern literature in this portion of the course, it will be helpful to understand the role of critical lens for reading literature. A critical lens or theory is simply a way of viewing or understanding a literature work. In the first section of the course, we introduced how irony, ambiguity, theme, and literary merit are essential for understanding and analyzing works on the AP English exam (don’t worry, we will review these in the first micro lesson). Now we will start to build upon this concept by shifting our focus to how our ideals and point of view can help shape our understanding of a literary work.

Questions about the purpose of literature, its role in society, and even what it is are all part of critical theory. Essentially, critical theory can serve as a guiding philosophical framework for our understanding of literature and how it functions and affects not only readers, but also groups of people and even entire societies.

For the purposes of the AP English Literature, knowledge of critical theory will not only help you with understanding literature, but also in a more practical sense with your essays. Introductions and especially the conclusions are the prime places to include discussion of how the text can be analyzed by one of these critical lens. Remember that with the AP English Literature Exam, it’s all about figuring out the “meaning of the work as a whole” and critical theory will deepen your understanding of this facet of literature.

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

Review of irony, ambiguity, theme and literary merit: In this lesson, we will revisit irony, ambiguity, theme and literary merit as it relates to analyzing literature.

AP Critical Lens for Literature: This lesson will introduce you to the concept of a critical lens and basic information about each lens.

Application of Critical Lens to Pop Culture: In this lesson we will continue this exploration with your making a direct connection of the critical lens to popular culture.

Application of Critical Lens to Literature: In this lesson we will continue this exploration with your making a direct connection of the critical lens to literature.