new criticism

noun

1. (often initial capital letters) an approach to the critical study of literature that concentrates on textual explication and rejects historical and biographical study as irrelevant to an understanding of the total formal organization of a work.

new criticism

noun

1. an approach to literary criticism through close analysis of the text

Derived Forms

• new critic, noun
• new critical, adjective

Other Words From

• new critic New Critic noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of new criticism¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The DeSantis administration is also facing new criticism for how it is tabulating the pandemic death toll.

From The Daily Beast

In the first sunny hours since the bill got through Congress, they've mostly been congratulating themselves, taking special pleasure yesterday when McConnell made a new criticism of the bill.

From Washington Post

His supremacy and that of his satellites Moore and Campbell were championed by the old papers and by the two new Criticism.

From Project Gutenberg

The problem consists in this: that our doctrine necessitates a new criticism of the sources of history.

From Project Gutenberg

We therefore hope the orthodox parsons will refute the "New Criticism."

From Project Gutenberg

The general view of the Bible herein set forth rests upon the conclusions of no new criticism.

From Project Gutenberg

A new criticism arose, and bade literature draw from life, while a vivid idealism accompanied anxiety for historical truth.

From Project Gutenberg