ENG3703
Assignment 3 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: September 2025
INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF LITERATURE: A
CRITICAL COMPARISON
INTRODUCTION
Literary studies have long been divided between two broad approaches: those that
concentrate on the intrinsic qualities of a text and those that focus on extrinsic or contextual
factors. The first approach treats literature primarily as an aesthetic object, emphasising
form, language, structure, and coherence. This perspective underpinned movements such
as Formalism and New Criticism, which sought to define the literary work as a self-contained
whole, separate from the life of the author, the reader, or the broader cultural setting. The
second approach treats literature as a cultural product embedded in society, shaped by
ideology, history, politics, and social forces. This perspective underlies Marxist criticism,
feminism, postcolonial theory, and other contextual approaches that highlight power
relations, identity, and ideology in the interpretation of literature.
This essay critically compares intrinsic and extrinsic approaches to literary study. It
examines their theoretical assumptions, explains the kinds of critical practices they inspire,
Terms of use
and weighs By making use of
their strengths and weaknesses. By drawing on key theorists and debates, this document you agree
theto:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
document
Use this Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 3 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: September 2025
INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF LITERATURE: A
CRITICAL COMPARISON
INTRODUCTION
Literary studies have long been divided between two broad approaches: those that
concentrate on the intrinsic qualities of a text and those that focus on extrinsic or contextual
factors. The first approach treats literature primarily as an aesthetic object, emphasising
form, language, structure, and coherence. This perspective underpinned movements such
as Formalism and New Criticism, which sought to define the literary work as a self-contained
whole, separate from the life of the author, the reader, or the broader cultural setting. The
second approach treats literature as a cultural product embedded in society, shaped by
ideology, history, politics, and social forces. This perspective underlies Marxist criticism,
feminism, postcolonial theory, and other contextual approaches that highlight power
relations, identity, and ideology in the interpretation of literature.
This essay critically compares intrinsic and extrinsic approaches to literary study. It
examines their theoretical assumptions, explains the kinds of critical practices they inspire,
Terms of use
and weighs By making use of
their strengths and weaknesses. By drawing on key theorists and debates, this document you agree
theto:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
document
Use this Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
