What was the Yale school of literary criticism?

The Yale school was a group of literary critics at Yale University who gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s for their application of deconstructionist theories.1

Drawing inspiration from the work of French philosopher Jacques Derrida, the group focused on the inherent instability and ambiguity of language. They argued that "meaning" and "authorial intention" are virtually impossible to fix precisely, often analyzing texts through rhetorical figures and textual opposites.12

Key figures included Paul de Man and J. Hillis Miller, who were central to popularizing the method in the United States. While the school was influential, it also faced significant criticism for its perceived nihilism and obscurity. The group's prominence waned following de Man's death in 1983 and Miller's departure in 1986. Furthermore, the late 1980s revelation that de Man had published anti-Semitic articles during World War II—an act that stands in direct opposition to the ethical principles of intellectual integrity and human dignity—severely damaged the school's reputation.12