What are the two ways to study literature?

[ppppparker]

I mean there's one way to read a book where the author becomes all important to the narrative, (like his/her life, why it was written, the era it comes from, etc) ) and then the other way is where what the author writes has a life of its own, and takes on meanings that the author might not even have intended.
Its some common buzzword or something in literature especially in undergrad english courses, like historical criticism or analysis or something like that.
I know I am not explaining this very well but that's part of the problem. hopefully this makes sense enough that it clues you into something?? thanks

 

[Hornbein]

I mean there's one way to read a book where the author becomes all important to the narrative, (like his/her life, why it was written, the era it comes from, etc) ) and then the other way is where what the author writes has a life of its own, and takes on meanings that the author might not even have intended.
Its some common buzzword or something in literature especially in undergrad english courses, like historical criticism or analysis or something like that.
I know I am not explaining this very well but that's part of the problem. hopefully this makes sense enough that it clues you into something?? thanks

Yes, those are the two ways. I have no preference.

 

[Kevin McHugh]

Drunk or sober