Question

Which of the following is/are correct about postmodernist critics?

• A. They foreground fiction and exemplify ‘disappearance of the real’.
• B. They foreground irony.
• C. They tend towards reflexivity.
• D. They challenge the distinction between high and low cultures.

Hint:

Postmodern critics reject traditional binaries and embrace fluidity, contradiction, and irony in their analysis of culture and literature.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, D

Step 1: Understanding postmodernist critics.
Postmodernism in literary theory is characterized by a skepticism towards grand narratives and an emphasis on irony, self-reflexivity, and cultural hybridity. Postmodernist critics challenge traditional assumptions about culture, identity, and meaning.

Step 2: Explanation of the options.
(A) Postmodernist critics often foreground fiction and highlight the ‘disappearance of the real’, emphasizing the blurred boundaries between reality and representation. (B) Irony is a central feature of postmodern criticism, as it questions traditional values and critiques authority. (C) Reflexivity, or the tendency to reflect upon and question the methods and assumptions behind the construction of meaning, is a hallmark of postmodern criticism. (D) Postmodernism challenges the distinction between high and low cultures, rejecting the hierarchical categorization of cultural forms and embracing their interconnections.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answers are (A) (B), and (A) (B) (D), as all these characteristics align with postmodernist criticism.