Discussion of Brooks’s methodology in relation to Barry’s tenets of liberal humanism and assumptions of Theory (the things we take for granted in the post-Theory discipline). Which of the tenets/assumptions does Brooks accept or reject? How would you locate his work within the taxonomy Barry gives us? And how do you intellectual respond to Brooks’s *approach* vis-a-vis liberal humanism and Theory?
As you’ll see in the syllabus, Unit 3 includes a reading response (due July 5). This announcement includes more explicit instructions for this week’s response:
You will be writing a response to Cleanth Brooks’s “Gray’s Storied Urn.” I’d like your response to include the following three elements:
1) A succinct, direct summary of Brooks’s argument.
2) Some engagement with his argument (how might you expand or modify it)?
3) Discussion of Brooks’s methodology in relation to Barry’s tenets of liberal humanism and assumptions of Theory (the things we take for granted in the post-Theory discipline). Which of the tenets/assumptions does Brooks accept or reject? How would you locate his work within the taxonomy Barry gives us? And how do you intellectual respond to Brooks’s *approach* vis-a-vis liberal humanism and Theory?
Your response should be a minimum of 400 words, but I imagine many of you will write more. Please try not to exceed 750 words. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
