Liberal Humanism is often associated with traditional approaches to literature. It flourished as a dominant critical approach throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in English departments influenced by critics like F.R. Leavis and Matthew Arnold. At its core, Liberal Humanism treats literature as a timeless reflection of the human condition, and it views the study of literature as a moral and aesthetic pursuit.
One of the most defining features of Liberal Humanism is the belief that literature transcends time and place. It assumes that great works of literature deal with themes and emotions that are universal and eternal. Human nature, according to this view, is essentially the same regardless of historical or cultural context. Literature, therefore, is seen as a mirror reflecting unchanging human truths.
For instance, Shakespeare's plays, particularly Hamlet, are often cited as examples of this universality. The themes of revenge, existential doubt, and moral dilemma in Hamlet are believed to resonate with audiences across centuries and cultures. Hamlet's internal conflict "To be, or not to be" is interpreted as an expression of a universal human concern with mortality and meaning.
Liberal Humanism insists that the meaning of a literary work resides within the text itself, independent of external factors such as the author's biography, historical context, or political ideology. This approach emphasizes close reading, which involves careful and detailed analysis of the language, structure, and literary devices used in a work.
A good example of this can be seen in the analysis of John Keats’s Ode to a Nightingale. Liberal Humanist critics would focus on the poem’s lyrical beauty, its evocation of mortality and transcendence, and the aesthetic experience it offers. The poem’s intricate structure and use of imagery like the "viewless wings of Poesy" are analyzed for how they contribute to the expression of deep emotional and philosophical truths.
Liberal Humanism maintains that individual experience and consciousness are central to literature. It values the portrayal of the individual human subject, particularly their moral and emotional development. The assumption is that literature offers insight into the inner lives of people and fosters empathy and understanding.
This focus is evident in the novels of Jane Austen, such as Pride and Prejudice. Austen's work explores the growth and moral education of individuals particularly Elizabeth Bennet as they confront social expectations and personal prejudices. The character’s development and moral choices are what Liberal Humanists would consider the core of the novel’s meaning.
Another key tenet of Liberal Humanism is that literature serves a moral purpose. It is not merely for entertainment or aesthetic pleasure but is a medium through which moral and ethical values are explored and communicated. The idea is that literature refines the human spirit and encourages moral introspection.
Matthew Arnold, a foundational figure in Liberal Humanist criticism, famously argued in Culture and Anarchy that culture, and by extension literature, is "the best that has been thought and said". He believed literature could guide individuals toward moral and intellectual development.
Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities exemplifies this moral dimension. The novel deals with themes of justice, sacrifice, and redemption set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. Through characters like Sydney Carton, Dickens portrays the possibility of personal transformation and moral heroism.
Liberal Humanism views literature as autonomous, meaning it should not be reduced to historical, political, or biographical contexts. Instead, a work of literature is considered a self-contained entity that must be evaluated on its own terms. This belief is rooted in the idea that the text is where meaning resides, not in the intentions of the author or the conditions of its production.
T.S. Eliot’s poem The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is often analyzed by Liberal Humanists for its literary merit its structure, imagery and internal rhythm without delving too deeply into Eliot’s personal life or socio-political environment. The emphasis is placed on the poetic speaker’s psychological complexity and existential concerns, rather than external influences.
Liberal Humanism is notably skeptical of critical theories that foreground ideology, such as Marxism, Feminism, or Postcolonialism. It posits that these theories impose external frameworks on literature, thus distorting the pure experience of the literary work. Liberal Humanists argue that great literature is inherently anti-dogmatic and resists rigid categorization.
For example, while a feminist critic might read Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre as a commentary on patriarchal oppression, a Liberal Humanist reading would focus more on Jane’s individual moral growth and emotional integrity. The emphasis would be on her inner strength and quest for autonomy as a universally human journey rather than a gendered struggle.
In Liberal Humanism, the role of the critic is to elucidate the text, not to impose their own political or theoretical agenda upon it. The critic acts as a mediator between the literary work and the reader, helping to uncover the text’s moral and aesthetic significance through close analysis and thoughtful interpretation.
F.R. Leavis, a prominent figure in this tradition, championed the idea of the critic as someone who could identify and preserve the canon of great literature. He emphasized the importance of literary tradition and the cultivation of "discriminative judgment", especially in identifying texts that promote moral seriousness and artistic excellence.
Liberal Humanists value sincerity and authenticity in literary expression. They regard these qualities as markers of great literature and believe that writers must earnestly engage with the human condition. This perspective aligns with the idea that literature should provoke reflection, empathy, and an emotional response.
In poetry, the works of William Wordsworth are often held up as epitomes of sincerity. His Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey is celebrated for its heartfelt meditation on nature, memory, and spiritual renewal. The poem’s introspective tone and emotional depth are qualities that Liberal Humanists deeply admire.
Liberal Humanism, though increasingly challenged by modern critical theories, remains a foundational approach to literary criticism. Its focus on the text, the individual, and universal human values offers a framework for appreciating literature as a timeless exploration of the human experience. While it may sometimes overlook the socio-political dimensions of texts, its dedication to moral seriousness, aesthetic excellence, and empathetic understanding continues to shape how we read and value literature. From Shakespeare’s existential dilemmas to Austen’s character-driven morality and Wordsworth’s authentic lyricism, the principles of Liberal Humanism provide enduring insights into the nature and purpose of literary art.
