Cleanth Brooks Quotes
- Literary critic
- USA
- 1906
Cleanth Brooks (1906-1994) was an American literary critic and professor, known for his contributions to the field of New Criticism. He was a prominent figure in the Southern Renaissance movement and played a significant role in shaping the study of literature in the United States.Brooks’ most…Read More
Cleanth Brooks (1906-1994) was an American literary critic and professor, known for his contributions to the field of New Criticism. He was a prominent figure in the Southern Renaissance movement and played a significant role in shaping the study of literature in the United States.Brooks’ most notable works include “The Well Wrought Urn” (1947), “Modern Poetry and the Tradition” (1939), and “The Language of Paradox” (1941). These books established him as a leading critic and helped popularize the New Criticism approach, which focused on close reading and analysis of literary texts.Brooks also co-founded the influential literary journal, The Southern Review, and taught at various universities, including Louisiana State University and Yale University.His work had a lasting impact on the study of literature, and he is remembered for his insightful and rigorous analysis of poetry and fiction. Brooks’ legacy continues to influence literary criticism and remains relevant in contemporary discussions of literature.Read Less
Cleanth Brooks (1906-1994) was an American literary critic and professor, known for his contributions to the field of New Criticism. He was a prominent figure in the Southern Renaissance movement and played a significant role in shaping the study of literature in the United States.Brooks’ most notable works include “The Well Wrought Urn” (1947), “Modern Poetry and the Tradition” (1939), and “The Language of Paradox” (1941). These books established him as a leading critic and helped popularize the New Criticism approach, which focused on close reading and analysis of literary texts.Brooks also co-founded the influential literary journal, The Southern Review, and taught at various universities, including Louisiana State University and Yale University.His work had a lasting impact on the study of literature, and he is remembered for his insightful and rigorous analysis of poetry and fiction. Brooks’ legacy continues to influence literary criticism and remains relevant in contemporary discussions of literature.
Cleanth Brooks Career Highlights
- Brooks received his Bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in 1928 and his Master’s degree from Tulane University in 1929.
- In 1932, he joined the English department at Louisiana State University (LSU) as an instructor and later became a full professor in 1942.
- In 1947, Brooks co-founded the influential literary journal, The Southern Review, with Robert Penn Warren.
- In 1948, he published his first book, “The Well Wrought Urn: Studies in the Structure of Poetry,” which became a seminal work in the field of New Criticism.
- In 1957, Brooks joined the faculty at Yale University as a professor of English and remained there until his retirement in 1975.
- In 1976, he co-founded the influential literary journal, The Kenyon Review, with John Crowe Ransom.
- Brooks received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the National Humanities Medal in 1987 and the Jefferson Lectureship in the Humanities in 1989.
Key Contributions by Cleanth Brooks
- Brooks was a leading figure in the New Criticism movement, which emphasized close reading and analysis of literary texts without considering the author’s intentions or historical context.
- He believed that a literary work should be evaluated based on its own internal structure and not on external factors.
- Brooks’ book, “The Well Wrought Urn,” introduced the concept of the “heresy of paraphrase,” which argued that a poem cannot be fully understood or appreciated through a summary or paraphrase.
- He also popularized the term “irony” in literary criticism and explored its various forms and functions in literature.
- Brooks’ work had a significant impact on the study of poetry, and his ideas continue to influence literary criticism today.
What Sets Cleanth Brooks Apart
- Brooks’ approach to literary criticism was unique and groundbreaking, as he challenged traditional methods of interpretation and introduced new concepts and ideas.
- He was known for his eloquent and persuasive writing style, which made his complex ideas accessible to a wider audience.
- Brooks’ collaborations with other influential literary figures, such as Robert Penn Warren and John Crowe Ransom, helped to establish the New Criticism movement and solidify its influence in the field of literary criticism.
Takeaways
- Cleanth Brooks’ contributions to literary criticism have had a lasting impact on the field and continue to be studied and debated by scholars today.
- His emphasis on close reading and the importance of a text’s internal structure has influenced how we approach and analyze literature.
- Brooks’ work serves as a reminder that literature should be appreciated and evaluated on its own merits, rather than through external factors or the author’s intentions.