QuickNotes

  "Tradition and Individual Talent" by T.S. Eliot 1. Traditional Elements and Their Significance Eliot introduces the concept of "tradition" as essential yet often viewed negatively, particularly by English critics who prioritize individuality in poetry. He critiques the English approach of lauding originality without recognizing the influence of historical literature on a poet's work. Eliot asserts that a poet’s most individual work may actually be the part most shaped by past literature, highlighting how tradition influences creativity. 2. Historical Sense Tradition, according to Eliot, is not mere repetition or adherence to past practices but involves active engagement with literary history. He argues that tradition is something that must be earned through rigorous study and discernment, not inherited. A true sense of tradition requires a "historical sense," a consciousness of the "pastness" and "presence" of past literature in t...

  Edward Said's Orientalism 1. The Concept of "Orient" and "Other": The "Orient" refers to the Middle East, Asia, and other regions considered foreign or "different" by the West (Europe and America). According to Said, Western countries created the idea of the "Orient" to define themselves as more advanced and superior. The "Other" is a term used to describe how the West views the people and cultures of the Orient as alien or inferior. The Orient becomes a mirror for the West, reflecting what it sees as backward or exotic. Example: Imagine two people comparing themselves. One says, "I'm modern and advanced because I'm not like that person who's old-fashioned." In this case, the West sees itself as modern by comparing itself to the "Other," the Orient, which it views as less developed. 2. The Binary of "Us" vs. "Them": Said e...

  Introduction to "Can the Subaltern Speak?" Focus on Postcolonial Women: The essay examines the plight of women in postcolonial societies, exploring the way Western cultures investigate and often misinterpret non-Western cultures. Core Example - Sati Practice: Spivak uses the Indian tradition of Sati (widow suicide) as an example of how Western perspectives frame other cultures, particularly in terms of gender and morality. Western Representation and Ethical Concerns Critique of Western Intellectuals: Spivak critiques Western thinkers like Marx, Foucault, Deleuze, and Derrida, arguing that their work is fundamentally influenced by Western economic and cultural interests. Knowledge as a Commodity: She posits that knowledge is not neutral; rather, it serves the interests of its producers, often exported to the third world as a tool for maintaining power. Colonial and Cultural Biases Inherent Colonialism in Research: Spivak asserts that research on third-world subjects oft...

  Implied culture vs. Historical fact and examples of New historicism with reference ‘To his Coy Mistress’ First there are minor difference between historical fact and new historicism, historical fact is fact about past when new historicism is deals with history and it is against traditional historicism and formalism. Implied culture is somehow related with culture. Marvell’s to his coy mistress suggests a rejection of existing conventional beliefs and power structures in 17 th  century in England. Poem illuminates some of the tension between self and society that emerge. In the poem Marvell indicate ambivalent historical moment, new historicism is to distinguished if from the somewhat dreary and encyclopedic, historical work. Implied culture is reflects implied reader and implied author that concept are interwoven, implied reader simultaneously an interpretation of the history. Implied Culture :- Implied means to express or indicate by a hint or suggest. Originof this...

  Critical Evaluation: Men, Women, and the Loss of Faith in "Young Goodman Brown" Nathaniel Hawthorne’s "Young Goodman Brown" is a powerful narrative that explores the themes of faith, temptation, and the inherent struggle between good and evil. At its core, the story presents a gendered interpretation of morality and the loss of faith, symbolized through the relationship between Goodman Brown and his wife, Faith. This evaluation will delve into key aspects of the text, such as the portrayal of women, the rejection of feminine faith, psychosexual readings, and the broader implications of Brown’s spiritual decline. 1. Hawthorne's Portrayal of Women Hawthorne’s depiction of women often diverges from the conventions of his time, as he portrays women with depth, realism, and moral agency. Unlike the “Cult of True Womanhood” tradition, which idealized women as symbols of purity, Hawthorne imbued his female characters with knowledge and moral superiority over t...

  Morality over the Pleasure Principle in "Everyday Use"        Theory of Theme             A.        Psychological Approach                       Psychological approach is learned faulty behaviors and habits, along with damaging words, thoughts, interpretations, and feedback that direct strategies for daily living. Psychological approaches assume that many disorders result from mental, behavioral, and social factors, such as personal experiences, traumas, conflicts, and environmental conditions. B.         Pleasure Principle                                  In F...