Biographical Approach to Literature

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Biographical Approach to Literature

1. Origin of the Biographical Approach

The Biographical Approach is one of the oldest methods of literary criticism.
Its origin can be traced to:

a. Classical Period (Greek & Roman)

  • Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle connected a writer’s character and experiences with their works.

  • Roman writers like Plutarch wrote Parallel Lives, linking literature to the life stories of authors and historical figures.

b. Renaissance and Enlightenment

  • With the rise of humanism, scholars studied authors’ lives to understand their writings better.

  • Writers like Samuel Johnson in the 18th century wrote Lives of the Poets, a major early biographical criticism work.

c. 19th Century (Romantic Age)

  • Romantic poets believed strong emotions come from personal experience.

  • Readers and critics increasingly studied writers’ letters, diaries, and life events.

d. 20th Century Onwards

  • Formal biographical criticism became a recognised academic method.

  • Many modern critics argue that understanding the author’s background helps interpret themes, symbols, and motives.

2. Features of the Biographical Approach (with Examples)

The Biographical Approach studies how an author’s life influences their literary work.

1. Focus on the Author's Life

  • Personal experiences, family background, education, culture, and relationships are used to interpret the text.
    Example:

  • Charles Dickens’s childhood poverty helps us understand the themes of social injustice in Oliver Twist.

2. Use of Personal Documents

  • Letters, diaries, journals, autobiographies, interviews, and memoirs are used as important sources.
    Example:

  • Emily Dickinson’s letters reveal her reclusive life, helping readers interpret the solitude in her poetry.

3. Understanding Historical and Social Context

  • The time and society in which the author lived help explain themes and characters.
    Example:

  • George Orwell’s experiences in war and politics explain the political themes in 1984 and Animal Farm.

4. Relationship Between Life Events and Themes

  • Critics look for direct connections between life events and the text’s ideas.
    Example:

  • Sylvia Plath’s mental struggles are reflected in her novel The Bell Jar.

5. Helps Remove Misinterpretations

  • Knowing the author’s life helps clarify meanings and avoid wrong assumptions.
    Example:

  • Shakespeare’s son Hamnet’s death is often linked to the tragic tone of Hamlet, giving deeper clarity.

6. Literature as a Reflection of the Author

  • The approach views literary works as mirrors of the writer’s personality, beliefs, emotions, and worldview.

3. Biographical Critics (Major Figures)

1. Samuel Johnson (18th Century)

  • Wrote Lives of the Poets.

  • Considered one of the pioneers of biographical criticism.

2. James Boswell

  • Wrote The Life of Samuel Johnson.

  • Blended biography and literary analysis.

3. Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve (19th Century)

  • A French critic who strongly believed that literature can be understood only by studying the author's life.

  • Famous for his method: “To know the book, know the man.”

4. Lytton Strachey

  • Modernised biographical writing and influenced biographical criticism.

5. Richard Ellmann

  • Famous for biographies of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and W.B. Yeats.

  • His work combines life history with literary interpretation.

6. Irving Stone

  • Wrote biographical novels showing how life events shaped art (e.g., Lust for Life, based on Vincent van Gogh).

7. Leon Edel

  • Known for multi-volume biography of Henry James.

  • Emphasized psychological biography in literary criticism.

4. Conclusion

The Biographical Approach helps readers understand literature more deeply by studying the author’s life.
It shows that many literary works are shaped by:

  • personal experiences

  • emotions

  • historical events

  • cultural background

  • psychological struggles

This approach does not ignore the text, but adds another layer of meaning by connecting the writer and the writing.
While some modern critics say we should focus only on the text (New Criticism), the biographical method remains valuable because:

  • it humanises literature

  • it helps explain themes and symbols

  • it connects art with real life

Thus, the Biographical Approach continues to be an important and insightful method in literary studies.

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