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nouvelle critique

French literature
Also known as: New Criticism

Quick Summary

La Nouvelle Critique, a French literary movement of the 1960s, challenged traditional literary interpretation by demanding active reader participation in decoding texts. This approach differed from the Anglo-American New Criticism, which focused on the intrinsic value of a work and close reading, often disregarding historical or biographical context.12

Key figures in La Nouvelle Critique, such as Georges Poulet, Jean-Pierre Richard, and later Julia Kristeva, advocated for new reading methods that opposed established university traditions. This movement contributed to a broader call for radical change within the educational system, which was perceived as rigid and outdated. The emphasis shifted from passive reception to a more engaged and critical interaction with literature.1

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