Brittany M. answered • 04/11/25
MA in English with University Teaching Experience
Hello, Ryan! Literary criticism isn't easy for anyone at first, but focus on one, and then you can apply it to others more easily. Here is how it works, if we put on a pair of metaphorical glasses that warp our view, we would see the same things as before, but differently. That is the basis of literary criticism; it expands your perspective, critical thinking skills, and analysis. Looking at different Disney movies, we know Bambi is from the animal's perspective. People use that movie to leverage the message of animal rights because we all see it that way, but there are more perspectives. What about the hunter? That would have been an entirely different movie. Similarly, Mulan is told from the female perspective to demonstrate gender inequality. Yet there are so many other perspectives, like side characters with sexist remarks, who can provide a lot of insights into the environment Mulan is in. In a way, we are guided through everything through perspective, including the stories we hear and tell. Rather than go with the grain, literary theory does it backward in a sense to understand the reflections of society and discover insights by applying a specific pair of literary criticism glasses. There are so many fields of study that can be broad and extremely specific, from trauma theory (understanding how a traumatic incident shapes a life) to post-colonial Irish feminist trauma theory (understanding how the trauma of the British colonial presence in Ireland resulted in elevated traumatic experiences and influences for women). It can be fun to find a niche in critical theory that interests you and is typically instrumental if you pursue any post-graduate studies. I hope that helps, and I love talking theory if you have more questions! Take care!
