Write a class discussion as an occasion to play with some of the critical theories described in Chapter Nine of your textbook (pages 173-186): Formalism or new criticism, feminist and gender criticism, queer theory, Marxist criticism, cultural studies, postcolonial criticism, historical criticism and new historic ism, psychological theories, reader-response criticism, structuralism, post structuralism/deconstruction, or criticism. Please contribute to the discussion by briefly applying three different critical theories in succession to either Trifles or one of the poems we read recently for class. It’s not a requirement, but maybe shoot for about 100 words for each theory you’re applying to the primary text. You might explain, for example, how a feminist reading of Trifles could go, then how a psychological reading of the text might differ, and finally, how the play could be read through a Marxist lens. As space allows, try to use specific references to your primary text (but don’t sweat about a Works Cited list since we all know the texts at hand) and a very brief introduction and conclusion, maybe a sentence or two for each. Since this week’s mini-essay is an invitation to apply one critical theory to Trifles or one of the poems we read for class, this is a great opportunity to learn more about various theoretical approaches, try out a few of these lenses to see how they influence your reading, and think more deeply about a selected text from multiple angles. Chapter Nine is an excellent introduction to many of the important “schools of thought” in the humanities, and as you prepare to contribute to this discussion, you are encouraged to do your own research into critical theories you find most interesting or applicable–see Course Materials for some help in this direction. Your organized, revised, proofread, approximately 300-word contribution to this class discussion is due before midnight on Thursday. Chosen poem – Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare
