Liberal Humanism Makes My Teeth Hurt

FL200

In chapter one of Barry's Beggining Theory we will find the term "Liberal Humanism". It is a label that refers to the kind of literary criticism that was standard all the way into the 60's. In reality, it still survives, as we will see, despite the fact that theory has proven all its assumptions to be questionable at best.

There is a very useful discussion of this chapter here. Check it out before and/or after you do your reading.

The tenets of Liberal Humanism that Barry list are worth posting here:
1. Good literature is of timeless significance.

2. The literary text contains its own meaning within itself.

3. (related to point 2): the best way to study the text is to study the words on the page, without any predefined agenda for what one wants to find there.

4. The text will reveal constants, universal truths, about human nature, because human nature itself is constant and unchanging. People are pretty much the same everywhere, in all ages and in all cultures.

5. The text can speak to the inner truths of each of us because our individuality, our "self," is something unique to each of us, something essential to our inner core. This inner essential self can and does transcend all external social forces (i.e. no matter what happens to me, I will always be me).

6. The purpose of literature is the enhancement of life and the propagation of humane values; on the other hand, literature should always be "disinterested," i.e. it should never have an overt agenda of trying to change someone (or it will become propaganda).

7. In a literary work, form and content are fused together, and are integral parts of each other.

8. A literary work is "sincere," meaning it is honest, true to experience and human nature, and thus can speak the truth about the human condition.

9. What is valuable in literature is that it shows us our true nature, and the true nature of society, without preaching (like point 6); it shows through drama, event, character, and conflict, rather than explaining, lecturing, or demonstrating.

10. What critics do is interpret the text (based largely on the words on the page) so that the reader can get more out of reading the text.

In principle they don't sound so "bad" or so "wrong", but try thinking around them. Try questioning their assumptions. Try finding exceptions to what these tenets posit.