MORALIST CRITICISM

WHAT IS MORALIST CRITICISM?

 Moralist Criticism is a type of literary critique that judges the

value of the literature based on its moral lessons or ethical
teachings.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:
For a moral criticism evaluate the:

 Maturity
 Sincerity
 Honesty
 Sensitivity
 Courage
 If the literature seeks corruption or negative influence.
 The moral and ethical teachings the author presents.
 How does the text play out ethical principles?
 Is a practical, moral, or philosophical idea being presented?
Moralist Criticism in simpler terms:
 Determine the worth of literature by seeing if it encourages good out
of the reader.

Questions to consider:
Aspects of Moralist Criticism
1. Maturity, sincerity, honesty, sensitivity, and/or courage become
important criteria in determining the worth of literature and art. Is the
author and his/her treatment of subject (both character and theme) mature,
sincere, honest, sensitive, or courageous? How so, and how does knowing
this help us approach the text in a meaningful way?
2. Does the text seek to corrupt or negatively influence the reader? How so
and/or why?
3. What moral lesson or ethical teaching is the author presenting in the
text/or through character, plot, or theme?
4. How do characters, settings, and plot events represent or allegorize
moral or ethical principles?
5. Does the work in question pose a pragmatic or moral lesson or
philosophical idea?

1. Literature that that is ethically sound and encourages virtue is

praised.
2. Literature that misguides and/or corrupts is condemned