Why Theory?

Abstract

Abstract

“Theory” has been construed as a staple aspect of monitoring, making and comprehending of all forms of Art including Literature since classical times. Accordingly, Literary Theory rather Theory demands a closer examination so as to dispel fallacies / confusions, that might have been experienced by many a beginner in the realms of Literature, Literary Criticism and Theory, and thereby to comprehend its functionality. In the same breath, it is not surprising and unusual to find the study and pursuit of Theory being done more in a parroting and also in a fragmented manner, and in a similar vein more in an unconnected manner without comprehending its moulding and/or shaping of the making and reading of Literature as a form of art, all the while.

Hence the present write-up attempts, in the first place, to interrogate the concept of theory and its role in the making and reading / analyzing / appreciating of Literature as an Art form. While being engaged in this seminal enquiry, the article attempts to differentiate between Literary Theory and Theory, and the consequent expansion of the stature of Literature as an offshoot and being part and parcel of a given Culture (which is the key-component of the matrix / combine of ‘socio-cultural and politico-economic and philosophical’) than merely as a presentation of Life in an imaginative and subjective way on the part of an author.

Thus the present attempt, understandably being engaged in ‘de-familiarizing’ Theory, also attempts to verify the un-tenability of the recently put forward critical / theoretical phenomenon in the saga of Theory, known as, “post-theory,” which might have arisen, perhaps, more as an outrage against the ever-proliferating ‘theories’ that have emanated and / or emanating from European-American Academia.

At the outset, before getting into an interrogative exploration of “Why Theory?” and its umbilical connection with Literature, it must be gladly conceded that “Theory” has provided the necessary rigor and vigour, and perhaps the necessary ‘technical-ambience,’ and complexity for the studies in Literature as a branch of Humanities. Further, the obvious potential of “Theory” has added to the sanctity of research studies in the domain of Literature on a par with other branches of Humanities and / or Social Sciences:

“…theory was ticket to intellectual and academic legitimacy.” (Showalter, “Feminist Criticism in Wilderness”).¹

Set against this backdrop, the study of Theory and its functions and near-inevitability for the making and comprehending of Literature, more in a de-familiarizing manner is almost warranted.

References

1. Showalter, Elaine. “Feminist Criticism in the Wilderness.” In The New Feminist Criticism: Essays on Women, Literature and Theory. New York: Pantheon Books, 1985.


2. Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. USA: Blackwell Publishers, 2003.


3. Online Etymological Dictionary. “Theory.” 2000.


4. Shelley, P.B. A Defense of Poetry. New York: Barnes and Noble, 2022.


5. Aristotle. Poetics.


6. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. In Complete Works of William Shakespeare. New Delhi: Wordsworth Publishers, 1996.