,ENG3703 Assignment 3 2025 (Answer Guide) - DUE
September 2025
A Critical Comparison of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Approaches to
the Study of Literature
Introduction
The study of literature has always invited multiple
perspectives, reflecting the complexity of texts as both artistic
creations and cultural products. Two of the most influential
approaches in literary studies are the intrinsic and extrinsic
methods. The intrinsic approach focuses on the text itself,
emphasizing elements such as form, structure, imagery,
symbols, and language. The extrinsic approach, in contrast,
emphasizes the context within which a literary work was
created, including historical, social, political, psychological,
and biographical factors. This essay critically compares the
two approaches, outlining their theories, practices, strengths,
and weaknesses, before offering a balanced analysis of how
they complement each other in the study of literature.
Intrinsic Approaches: Theory and Practice
The intrinsic approach views literature as an autonomous
entity. It argues that a literary text should be studied in
isolation, without reference to the author, historical
background, or cultural influences. This approach became
, prominent with movements such as Formalism, New Criticism,
and later Structuralism.
Formalism (e.g., Russian Formalists like Viktor Shklovsky)
focused on the literary devices—metaphor, rhyme,
rhythm, and defamiliarization—that distinguish literary
language from ordinary language.
New Criticism (figures like Cleanth Brooks and T.S. Eliot)
stressed close reading, where critics analyse paradox,
irony, ambiguity, and tension within the text.
Structuralism emphasized the idea that literature
operates through underlying systems and structures such
as narrative codes and binary oppositions.
In practice, an intrinsic analysis of a poem might examine its
imagery, diction, metre, and symbolism to uncover meaning,
while ignoring the poet’s biography or the era in which it was
written. For example, Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 (“Shall I
compare thee to a summer’s day?”) may be studied in terms
of metaphor, rhythm, and structure, without reference to
Shakespeare’s personal life.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Intrinsic Approaches
Strengths
September 2025
A Critical Comparison of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Approaches to
the Study of Literature
Introduction
The study of literature has always invited multiple
perspectives, reflecting the complexity of texts as both artistic
creations and cultural products. Two of the most influential
approaches in literary studies are the intrinsic and extrinsic
methods. The intrinsic approach focuses on the text itself,
emphasizing elements such as form, structure, imagery,
symbols, and language. The extrinsic approach, in contrast,
emphasizes the context within which a literary work was
created, including historical, social, political, psychological,
and biographical factors. This essay critically compares the
two approaches, outlining their theories, practices, strengths,
and weaknesses, before offering a balanced analysis of how
they complement each other in the study of literature.
Intrinsic Approaches: Theory and Practice
The intrinsic approach views literature as an autonomous
entity. It argues that a literary text should be studied in
isolation, without reference to the author, historical
background, or cultural influences. This approach became
, prominent with movements such as Formalism, New Criticism,
and later Structuralism.
Formalism (e.g., Russian Formalists like Viktor Shklovsky)
focused on the literary devices—metaphor, rhyme,
rhythm, and defamiliarization—that distinguish literary
language from ordinary language.
New Criticism (figures like Cleanth Brooks and T.S. Eliot)
stressed close reading, where critics analyse paradox,
irony, ambiguity, and tension within the text.
Structuralism emphasized the idea that literature
operates through underlying systems and structures such
as narrative codes and binary oppositions.
In practice, an intrinsic analysis of a poem might examine its
imagery, diction, metre, and symbolism to uncover meaning,
while ignoring the poet’s biography or the era in which it was
written. For example, Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 (“Shall I
compare thee to a summer’s day?”) may be studied in terms
of metaphor, rhythm, and structure, without reference to
Shakespeare’s personal life.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Intrinsic Approaches
Strengths
