New Historicism lens

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Literary Lenses

What?

Why?

New Historicism

Explanation of New Historicism

2 words

New: 

Suggests a new version of Historicism

Historicism

This is an updated version of Historicism

New Historicism

Was a reaction to Historicism and Criticism 1980-1990

Key points

• Generalizing History is not a good idea
• Challenge the Historicists who said History is of primary importance and literature is of secondary importance
• Context was of great importance(social, economical and political)

History is contextual

The History we reed,

 is what the author chose to write.

History in books is the interpretation of the narrator.

History is not objective.

And...

• History is not linear
• History is  not progressive

Stephen Greenblatt

• Wrote about History and Literature in the USA 
• Credited for establishing New Historicism

Student Activity

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