Structural Understanding Of A Piece example essay topic
I think Ransom's first point of excluding a poet's bibliography and intentions is very interesting. New Criticism says that as a reader, one must look directly at the piece for true understanding. I find that I agree and disagree with that perspective. On the opposing side, knowing the upbringing of the author and the historical context can add great depth to the meaning of a piece as a whole. On the other hand, by separating the work from the author, the reader has a greater probability of achieving a purer, less bias interpretation. Approaching it from each of these methods would definitely yield quite dissimilar results because preconceptions, whether we like to admit it or not, have a heavy influence on what a reader takes from a work.
The second point Ransom made was that an audience's response had to be disregarded to really understand the poem. I agree and disagree with this point also. I saw how this was related to the Affective Fallacy and it helped clarified one of the main principles of New Criticism. A reader has an emotion in response to an idea. However, "meaning before feeling" must apply.
In one respect, I think that' fair because when the feeling is secondary, the work's objective interpretation can be primary. However, I also believe that response to a piece should be a fair combination of both meaning and feeling. That would seem to be the most natural and common response in a fair rendering. I agree with the last point that was made, that the structural understanding of a piece should only have one use-precise dramatic form and theme. A work, through clear structure and texture, creates a formal balance can achieve that significant goal. I think that's important because once that is established, there's a greater sense of purpose and value, as well as realism in the piece.
Ransom made an interesting comment that when a piece is successful in achieving that, can actually be more precise than science. I found that fascinating because of how dissimilarly people view the two. Yet, it is a valid point if you consider New Criticism's stance. "In every new experience, even in science, there is a feeling. [And] no discourse can sustain itself without interest, which is a feeling" (454). That makes sense.
I really enjoyed Ransom's ideas. I agree with them, or at least aspects of them and liked how they clearly displayed the beliefs of New Criticism.