Exploring the Art of Literary Criticism
How to Uncover Deeper Meanings in Books
Literary Criticism: More Fun Than It Sounds
Let’s be honest—“literary criticism” might sound like a chore. Maybe you’re picturing professors in tweed jackets arguing about Moby-Dick. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way.
Literary criticism is just a fancy term for connecting with a book. It’s not about dissecting stories into lifeless pieces—it’s about exploring what they mean to you.
If a book has ever:
Stuck with you long after you finished it
Made you feel seen or inspired
Challenged what you believe
… then congratulations! You’re already halfway to being a literary critic.
Why Bother? Can’t I Just Read for Fun?
Of course, you can! Not every book needs to be analyzed. But when you dig a little deeper, you might discover:
Hidden layers that make the story richer
Themes and symbols that change how you see the world
New connections between the text and your own life
Think about The Great Gatsby:
On the surface, it’s about love and the American Dream.
Dig a little deeper, and you see it’s also about memory, obsession, and the impossibility of recapturing the past (hello, green light!).
How to Let a Book Speak to You
Reading critically doesn’t mean forcing your opinion onto a book. It’s about listening and asking questions:
Why did the author choose this setting?
What themes keep showing up?
What’s not being said, and why might that matter?
Take Toni Morrison’s Beloved. It’s about motherhood and trauma, sure. But when you slow down, you notice how Morrison’s poetic language mirrors the ebb and flow of memory. The story doesn’t just tell you about trauma—it immerses you in it.
Context Is Everything
No book exists in a bubble. Every story is shaped by its time, place, and author. Knowing this can completely transform your reading experience.
For example:
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe isn’t just a story about Okonkwo—it’s a critique of colonialism and a defense of African identity.
Without context, The Handmaid’s Tale might seem dystopian and far-fetched. But when you consider the historical struggles for women’s rights, it feels eerily real.