Roots in the Renaissance Liberal humanism emerged during the Renaissance, emphasizing human potential and creativity.

Literary Focus Unlike other theories, it advocates focusing solely on the text, avoiding distractions like historical context.

Timelessness of Texts It believes in the idea that great literature transcends time and place

The ‘Universal Truth’ Liberal humanism upholds that literature reveals universal truths about humanity.

Anti-Theory Stance It is often considered "anti-theory" because it rejects complex theoretical frameworks.

Individualism Focus Liberal humanism promotes individualism, arguing that literature reflects the essence of the individual self.

Morality Over Ideology It values moral lessons from texts rather than political or ideological readings.

The ‘Unchanging’ Human Nature A key belief is that human nature is unchanging, and literature expresses this unaltered essence.

No Influence from Author's Background It advocates for a separation between the author’s background and the text itself.

Focus on Meaning, Not Style Liberal humanism is less concerned with literary style and more with the meanings and ideas in a text.

Resistance to Postmodernism Liberal humanism resists postmodernist approaches that challenge the existence of universal truths.

Close Reading Technique One of its methods is "close reading," analyzing the text without external influences.

Non-Specialist Audience It aims to make literature accessible to the general public, not just academic elites

Emphasis on Emotion It highlights how literature connects with readers emotionally, creating a universal bond.

Still Relevant Today Despite the rise of modern critical theories, liberal humanism remains a key part of literary studies.