Student Portfolio
Student Portfolio: Literary Criticism Module
1.1 Approach and Understanding Towards Literary
Criticism
As a fourth-year student,this course had deepen my
understanding of literature beyond just reading for enjoyment. I
had some familiarity with basic analysis, but this course has
pushed me to think in more structured, critical ways. Literary
criticism, to me, is a discipline that lets us dissect and interpret
texts with a variety of lenses, allowing a fuller, more nuanced
understanding of meaning.Also we can define it as it’s “the
interpretation, analysis,and judgement of a work of literature”.
I distinguish literary criticism from literary theory in that criticism
often takes these theories and applies them directly to texts.
Theory is more foundational, guiding the way we think about
literature, while criticism brings this theoretical foundation to life
in specific readings. Through this module, I’ve responded to the
learning outcomes by actively engaging with the different schools
of criticism. I’ve come to see literary criticism not just as a set of
analytical tools but as a way of expanding how I interact with
texts and ideas.
1.2- My reflection on the uploaded essays:
which one you have read?
I choose to read “What is an author “ by Michel Foucault.
Which it challenges traditional ideas about the role and
position of authors in literary Criticism.
what did you learn from it?
The main thing I learned is that the ideal of the “author “
isn’t as straightforward and easy as it seems. Foucault
explains that an author is more than just the person who
writes a text they’re also a concept that helps us to organize
and interpret what we read. Fore example we tend to
interpret and connect the meaning of a text to the person
who wrote I mean the author, but Foucault argues that it
isn’t always the most important thing, instead he wants us to
look at the text and interpret it itself and the cultural or
historical context around it.
How do you connect that to literary criticism?
This connects a lot with how we study literature in criticism.
it reminds me that we shouldn’t always focus too much on
the authors life and intention like why the author write this
how he thinks, instead it’s about the idea that text convey
and represent , Fore instance in Feminism literally criticism
we focus on how the text represents women, gender
rules ,inequality and inferiority and superiority in the text
itself not as a reflection of the author’s personal experiences
.
Is there any other texts you read and suggests for us ?
Like have I read any other texts or not , yes of course I have
read a lot of texts but like my suggestion for you I haven’t
anything to suggest.
1.3 - My reflection on the uploaded Movies:
which one you have watched?
I have watched “Midnight in Paris”, Among those movies it was
the one I was most interested to watch it and I have interested to
watch it , because it combines nostalgia, romantic, art and
literature in such a unique way.
What did you learn from it?
The movie thought me a lot about how we idealise the past and
sometimes use it as an escape from our present reality . The
protagonist , Gil, is fascinated by the 1920s and great literary and
artistic figures of that era. However as the story unfolds, he
realizes that people in the past also romanticised earlier times. It
was a powerful reminder that every era has its flaws, and we
should appreciate the present for what it offers. I also learned
about several historical literary figures like Earnest Hemingway
and Gertrude Stein.
How do you connect it to literary criticism?
The film connects to literary criticism by showing how our
understanding of literature is shaped by our perception of the
past.It also touches on the idea of intertextuality, as the movie
itself is filled with the references to classic works and figures,
creating a dialogue between different texts and eras. Watching it
made me think about how much our own biases or nostalgia can
influence the way we interpret literary works. Fore example , we
often view the literary “Golden ages “ through a romantic lens ,
but the film challenges us to critically engage with those periods
instead of idealising them.
Is there any other movies you have watched? What do you
suggest for us?
“Little women “2019 is another movie that like “midnight in
Paris” captivated me with its themes of creativity, personal
growth, and nostalgia. The way the movie portrays Jo March’s
determination to become a writer , despite the social constraints
of her time, really drew me in. It’s inspiring to see a character so
passionate with her craft. Just like how “midnight in Paris “ uses
nostalgia to explore self-discovery , little women blends past and
present to show how our dreams evolve over time. Watching it
reminds us of the importance of staying true to our goals, even
when the world around us might not fully understand them. It
was refreshing and powerful take on a timeless story that made
me want to dive deeper into the themes of art, independence and
family.
2. Reflection on the Learnt Schools of Criticism
2.1 Formalism and New criticism literary School:
Formalism and New Criticism opened my eyes to the mechanics
of a text. Learning about these approaches taught me the value
of focusing on the text itself—its language, structure, and
aesthetic components. In examining form and meaning, I found
that the text’s structure often reveals the author’s intentions in
subtle ways that might be missed if we only consider external
influences.
Through formalism, I began to see texts as self-contained units
that convey meaning through deliberate choices in structure,
language, and tone. Although I see the value in considering
outside contexts, I appreciate the formalist perspective that a
text’s essence often lies within itself. This approach has enhanced
my appreciation for the artistry in writing, as I’ve come to
recognize that each word, each sentence structure, is a deliberate
choice that serves a larger purpose.
From this week what made the studying interesting for me it was
the activity which was named “Flipped classroom “ , because we
share our points with teacher each student had a different Idea
about the topic as well when one of our classmates said our point
we need to change ours or give it a synonym to look a bit
different from their own words , so it made as being active in the
classroom and think actively.
2.2 Reader-Oriented Criticism:
Reader-oriented criticism has helped me realize my role as an
active participant in the creation of a text’s meaning. As a reader,
my background—social, cultural, and even my own personality—
contributes to how I understand a text. I’ve noticed that my
interpretations can shift over time, reflecting my own growth or
changes in perspective. For instance, my readings of certain texts
have evolved as l’ve gained more knowledge, allowing me to see
layers of meaning that I may have overlooked before.
This approach has made reading a more personal experience for
me. I no longer feel like a passive recipient of meaning but rather
an active creator, bringing my unique perspective into each
reading. It has allowed me to respect that texts can mean
different things to different people, validating the diversity of
interpretations that exist among readers.
Also in Reader-Oriented criticism all the interpretations by all
kinds of readers could be true but of course one or some of them
could be more reliable than the other ones.
As well at this week we had an interesting activity like gathering
with classmates and working in groups to share our Ideas with
each other , which all the group members had the same text and
each of us had our own ideas and opinions about the same text,
so we listened to each other’s ideas and it expanded our
understanding for only one text, because one text could have
multiple different meanings.
2.3 Structuralism:
Structuralism was initially a challenging school for me to grasp, as
it focuses heavily on patterns and systems rather than individual
experience. However, I grew to appreciate its emphasis on the
broader structure within which texts operate. Learning about
binary opposition, for example, showed me how contrasting
concepts often play a key role in conveying deeper meaning
within a text.
Analyzing structural relationships and intertextual references
made me realize how individual texts don’t exist in isolation but
within a larger web of literary works. By understanding a text’s
place within this structure, I could see it as part of an ongoing
conversation in literature. While structuralism’s methodical
approach felt somewhat restrictive at first, I’ve come to see its
value in identifying connections and understanding literature on a
larger scale.
2.4 Poststructuralism:
Poststructuralism has been transformative for me, as it
encouraged me to question the idea of fixed meanings. This
school of thought reveals the instability of language, showing that
words and structures often carry multiple, even contradictory,
meanings. It has allowed me to embrace ambiguity and to
recognize that language is a shifting and sometimes unreliable
tool.
This perspective has influenced how I view literature and even the
world itself. The realization that no single interpretation is final or
absolute has encouraged me to approach texts—and life itself—
with a more open mind.
Poststructuralism taught me to see the value in
questioning “established “ meanings and to appreciate the
complex,multifaceted nature of human expression.
2.5 Feminism :
Feminism criticism for me has been eye-opening in understanding
how literature reflects and shapes societal views on gender . This
school has shown me how texts can either challenge or reinforce
stereotypes about women and, more broadly, about power
dynamics within gendered relationships. Through feminist
readings, I have come to see how literature can either support or
critique the status quo.
I particularly connected with feminist analysis when examining
female characters and how their agency—or lack thereof—speaks
to the author’s view of gender roles. One example from Kurdish
literature was particularly impactful, as it highlighted the strength
and resilience of women in a way that felt culturally resonant.
Studying feminist criticism had deepened my awareness of
gender issues and broadened my understanding of how literature
can serve as a mirror for both societal progress and persistent
inequalities.
2.6 Marxism literally criticism:
In my understanding, Marxism in literature focuses on how
different social classes and the conflicts between them are
represented. Class struggle happens when there’s tension
between the rich (the bourgeoisie) and the working class (the
proletariat). In literature, this often shows up in characters who
are struggling because of their social position, or in conflicts
where one group tries to control or exploit another.
This struggle is connected to real life because in society, people
often face similar problems based on their social and economic
status. For example, workers might face unfair treatment, low
wages, or harsh working conditions, which is reflected in literature
through stories of oppression or rebellion.
According to Marxism, literature plays an important role in
showing these struggles. Literature doesn’t just entertain; it can
also make us aware of social issues and help us understand how
different systems—especially capitalism—affect people’s lives.
Literature is seen as a way to show the reality of class conflicts
and sometimes even suggest ways to change society for the
better.
Many literary works criticize capitalist systems that focus on profit
over people.some examples of this are novels like “The Grapes of
Wrath “by John Steinbeck, which shows the struggles of poor
farmers during the Great Depression, or 1984 by George Orwell,
which critiques totalitarian control. In Kurdish literature, works
like “The Broken World” by Bakhtiyar Ali touch on themes of
social injustice and the power struggle in society. These texts use
storytelling to challenge the way society is structured and
encourage readers to think critically about the system they live
under.
2.7Psychoanalysis
Firstly as a theory rooted in works of Sigmund Freud and it focuses on the analysis and
understanding the unconscious mind, it emphasise on Id,Ego, and Superego , also it
emphasis on the all mechanisms , try to find out the texts represent or serves which
mechanisms.
So I see psychoanalysis as a way e understand and explain literature by exploring the
unconscious mind of both characters and the author .it attempt to find out the hidden
meaning of the text as well as the hidden motives,desires and conflicts.so based on
Freud’s theories, this approach focuses on how childhood experiences and emotions
shape a person’s behaviour and how they shape the character and themes in literature .
From this perspective, literature becomes a space where hidden and deep parts of human
mind are revealed.so as a student this approach has helped me to read literary texts more
critically and Ask questions like “what’s driving this character? , How does the author’s
own like reflect and influence the story?”
2.8 New historicism:
The theory of New historicism emphasises that literature and history are interconnected it
says that we cannot fully understand and interpret a literary text without knowing and
considering the historical and cultural context behind the text.
But unlike traditional history which they focus on grand narratives , New historicism
emphasises at how power,ideology,and marginalised voices shape both literature and
history.
So as an approach New historicism interpret and analyses texts alongside the non-literary
texts such as letters, diaries,or legal documents from the same period.it examines how
literary texts influence on political and cultural forces of their time .
3. Conclusion:
Completing this portfolio has allowed me to see my journey in
literary criticism as a progressive layering of insights and skills.
Each school of criticism has equipped me with unique
perspectives,allowing me to interpret texts in increasingly
sophisticated ways. Looking back, I feel that my academic
development in this module has enriched my analytical abilities
and shaped how I engage with literature as a whole.
Through the study of formalism and new criticism , reader-
oriented criticism ,structuralism, feminism and marxism. I have
grown not only as a student but as a thinker. Each approach has
challenged me to look at texts and the whole through multiple
lenses, and I’m grateful for how this module has deepened my
critical thinking skills. I am now more prepared to take these
insights with me into other areas of literature, my social
interactions, and even my future career, where I hope to continue
using these critical tools to better understand and interpret the
world around me.
References:
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-techniques/literary-criticism/
https://bentonenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/literary-criticism.pdf
