Postmodern criticism

Definition

Postmodern criticism is a literary approach that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by a skeptical, self-aware examination of literature that challenges traditional narratives and conventions. It often questions the nature of reality, authorship, and meaning, reflecting the complexities and ambiguities of contemporary culture. This approach is deeply connected to absurdist fiction, where the absurdity of human existence is highlighted, often leading to fragmented narratives and a questioning of absolute truths.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Postmodern criticism often emphasizes the role of the reader in creating meaning, suggesting that interpretation is subjective and influenced by personal context.
2. This approach frequently employs irony and playfulness, reflecting a sense of disillusionment with established norms and beliefs.
3. In absurdist fiction, postmodern criticism reveals how characters often face meaningless situations, highlighting existential themes prevalent in the genre.
4. The fragmented narrative style common in postmodern works serves to illustrate the chaos and complexity of modern life, often leaving readers with more questions than answers.
5. Postmodern criticism challenges the concept of a single, authoritative interpretation of a text, embracing multiplicity and ambiguity as essential aspects of understanding literature.

Review Questions

• How does postmodern criticism reshape our understanding of narrative structure in literature?
  • Postmodern criticism reshapes our understanding of narrative structure by promoting non-linear storytelling and fragmented narratives. This approach often challenges traditional plot development and character arcs, instead presenting stories that reflect the complexities of modern life. By questioning the idea of a singular narrative or truth, postmodern criticism encourages readers to engage actively with texts, drawing their own interpretations from the chaos and ambiguity presented.
• Discuss how absurdist fiction exemplifies the principles of postmodern criticism through its exploration of meaning.
  • Absurdist fiction exemplifies postmodern criticism by portraying characters in situations where traditional meaning is absent or undermined. Through absurd events and nonsensical dialogue, these narratives highlight the existential dilemmas faced by individuals in a chaotic world. This aligns with postmodern principles by challenging readers to confront their own assumptions about reality and meaning, suggesting that rather than definitive truths, we are left with a kaleidoscope of experiences shaped by personal perspectives.
• Evaluate the implications of intertextuality within postmodern criticism as it relates to absurdist fiction.
  • Intertextuality within postmodern criticism enhances our understanding of absurdist fiction by illustrating how texts dialogue with one another to create layered meanings. By recognizing references to other works or cultural elements within absurdist narratives, readers can appreciate how these connections amplify themes of disillusionment and chaos. This interplay not only reflects the fragmented nature of modern existence but also emphasizes that literature is not isolated; rather, it exists within a broader cultural context where meanings are constantly negotiated and redefined.

Related terms

Metafiction: A type of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, often blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality.

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts and how they refer to or influence one another, highlighting the idea that all texts are part of a larger cultural conversation.

Deconstruction: A critical approach that seeks to reveal and challenge assumptions within texts, exposing contradictions and ambiguities in meaning.