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In Response to John Crowe Ransoms Theory After reading Wimsatt &# 038; Beardsley's articles, I found that I agree with many of their ideas concerning New Criticism. I see nothing wrong with focusing on the work objectively by paying attention to dramatic form and theme and I admire how the theory is audience-centered. It claims that its important to separate the writing process from the reading process. And along the same line, lies Ransoms argument. His premise insists that there should be a structural understanding of poetry[where it] is not to be confused with a poets bibliography or intentions, the audiences response to the poem, or the uses to which it may be put (451, Ranson). I agree and disagree with his interpretations.
I think Ransoms first point of excluding a poets 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 audiences 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 thats fair because when the feeling is secondary, the works 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 thats important because once that is established, theres 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 Criticisms 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 Ransoms ideas. I agree with them, or at least aspects of them and liked how they clearly displayed the beliefs of New Criticism.
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Research essay sample on Dramatic Form And Theme Agree And Disagree Piece
