Dialogic Criticism

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Dialogic criticism is a way of studying literature that focuses on how different voices, opinions, and ideas interact within a text. This approach comes from the ideas of the Russian thinker Mikhail Bakhtin, who believed that literature, especially the novel, is full of many voices rather than just one single message. Instead of showing only the author’s view, a good literary work brings in many viewpoints that talk to each other.

Main Ideas of Dialogic Criticism

Multiple Voices – Dialogic criticism looks at how a text includes many different voices, each with its own ideas, styles, and truths. These voices may belong to different characters, narrators, or even social groups.
Open Meaning – In dialogic texts, no single meaning wins. The voices remain open to argument and discussion. This keeps the meaning of the work alive and changing.
Dialogue Between Ideas – It is not just about spoken dialogue between characters. It is about a deeper conversation between different worldviews, beliefs, and ways of thinking.
Polyphony – Bakhtin used this word to describe a work where all voices have equal weight. In such works, the author does not try to control or silence any voice.

Examples in Literature

In "The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, the characters represent different beliefs—religious, atheist, emotional, and logical. These voices argue with each other, and the novel does not declare one of them as fully right.
In "Middlemarch" by George Eliot, the story shows many lives and thoughts happening at once, giving equal space to different characters' struggles and views.
In "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad, the narrator Marlow tells his story, but there are also the views of the outer narrator, the company officials, and the silent Kurtz—all adding to the dialogue of meaning.

Importance in Literature

Dialogic criticism is important because it helps us see that literature is not always about giving one clear message. Instead, it shows the richness of human thought and the value of listening to many voices. This approach is especially useful in novels, where different characters often stand for different ideas or experiences.


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