Birth: 1912-07-14
, Sherbrooke
Death: 1991-01-23
, Toronto
Northrop Frye was an influential Canadian literary critic and literary theorist, known for his seminal approach to archetype and myth-based literary criticism. He posited that all literature can be understood through a set of universal structures and patterns, often explored in his works on mythology and symbolism.
Frye revolutionized the study of literature, arguing that its deep understanding requires an analysis of its symbolic and imaginative aspects, rather than focusing solely on historical or biographical contexts. His work remains fundamental to literary scholars worldwide, influencing various schools of critical thought.