Nature and Functions of Literary Criticism

LITERARY LITERAR Y CRITICISM CRITICI SM Its Nature and Functions

 THE ORIGIN AND MEANING OF THE TERM ‘ CRITICISM ’

 Th  Thee ter term m CRITI CRITICISM CISM is derived from the Greek

term KRITIKOS , which was used in the 4th century B.C. It means “a ju  judge dge of literature” . In the 2nd century A.D. its place was taken by the

term CRITICUS , aimed at the interpretation interpretation of texts and wor words ds and improv improvement ement of the works works of  writers  writ ers in Greek G reek or Lati L atin. n.

 THE ORIGIN AND MEANING OF THE TERM ‘ CRITICISM ’

 In English, Dryden used it in the modern sense in

his preface to The State of Innocence (1677).  He writes : “Criticism, as it was first instituted by

 Aristotle, was meant a standard of judging well.”  Today, the term literary criticism aims at the

study of works of literature with emphasis on their evaluation.

 THE FUNCTIONS OF CRITICISM

 JUDGMENT  In its strict sense, criticism means judgment. The

literary critic, therefore, is primarily an expert  who uses his special faculty and training to examine the MERITS and DEFECTS of a piece of literary art or the work of a given author and pronounce a VERDICT upon it.

 JUDGMENT

 The primary function of a literary critic is to

arrive at and pronounce a meaningful judgment of value.  I. A. Richards says : “To set up as a critic is to set

up as a judge of values.”  Literary

criticism, says Rene Wellek , “is judgement of books, reviewing and finally the definition of taste, of the tradition, of what is a classic.”

EVALUATION EVALUATION  When a critic attempts to judge the value of a  work of art or literature, he can be said to have evaluated the work.  “  Evaluative, judicial, or normative criticism

attempts to judge the merits of the literature in relation to a literary, social, moral, or other, value system.”  (Lee T. Lemon : A Glossary for the Study of English, p. 99 )

EVALUATION

 T. G. Williams says : “ The function of a literary critic is the evaluation of what has been written, in terms of aesthetic principles appropriate to literature.” ( English Literature, a Critical Survey )

INTERPRETATION

 If judgement be the real end of criticism,

interpretation may be employed as a means to that end.  “  To feel the virtue of the poet or the

painter, to disengage it, to set it forth  –  these are the three stages of the critic‟s duty.” (Walter Pater)

INTERPRETATION  Poetry is a „criticism   (interpretation) of life‟.

Criticism is interpretation.

an

interpretation

of

that

 The chief function of criticism is to enlighten

and stimulate by the proper interpretation of the  works of literature. If a great poet makes us partakers of his larger sense of the meaning of life , a great critic may make us partakers of his larger sense of the meaning of literature .

INTERPRETATION  Walter Pater aptly says:

“Criticism is the art of interpreting art.”  Carlyle ‟s regard for criticism:

“  Criticism stands like an interpreter between the inspired and the uninspired; between the prophet and those who hear the melody of his words, and catch the glimpse of their material meaning, but understand not their deeper import.”

INTERPRETATION

Matthew Arnold defines criticism as “a

disinterested endeavour to learn and propagate the best that is known and thought in the world.”

 THE NATURE OF CRITICISM

Criticism and Creation  To some people criticism appears to be secondary, parasitic and inferior to creation. It is stated that the creative artist is

personal and subjective, whereas a critic is impersonal, dispassionate, and detached

 THE NATURE OF CRITICISM

 Though the creative and critical faculties are

logically distinct, psychologically they are interfused with each other. There is a kind of criticism which exists before art itself just as there is a kind of criticism which follows art, taking art as its subject-matter.  “ There is no work of art”,  says Scott James ,

“which is not preceded by criticism . ”

 THE NATURE OF CRITICISM

 Thus, there is no antipathy but close affinity

between the critic and the creative artist.  “Both poet and critic draw their light from the

sun of beauty and truth , and we may be glad of both . ” (Grierson)  According to Scott James , “The  true critic is

an ally of the artist.”

 THE NATURE OF CRITICISM

 A good critic has the same interest at heart as

the artist possesses. His never failing sympathy and intuition qualify him to speak on behalf of the artist.  Alexander Pope beautifully says,

“ Both must alike from Heaven derive their light,  These born to judge, as well as those to  write.”

LITERARY CRITICISM AND SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY

 A debatable question:

Is literary criticism an art or an exact science?  Critics like I. A. Richards and Prof. Moulton aim

at scientific accuracy and scientific impartiality in their literary criticism.

LITERARY CRITICISM AND SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY

 According to D. H. Lawrence, criticism can

never be a science.  In the first place, criticism is „much  too

personal‟  , and secondly, it is concerned with „values  what science ignores‟ . “  The touchstone is emotion, not reason.”

“ A perfect judge will read each work of wit  With the same spirit that its author writ.” (Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism )

QUALITIES OF  A GOOD CRITIC

 Hume believed that agreement among ideal critics

on aesthetic issues constituted “the  true standard of taste and beauty.”  The ideal critic possessed five attributes : “strong 

sense, united to delicate sentiment, improved by practice, perfected by comparison, and cleared of all prejudice.”

QUALITIES OF  A GOOD CRITIC

  A good critic must have superior sensibility.  He must also have  wide erudition.   A good critic must be entirely impersonal  and

objective. He must try to discipline his personal prejudices and whims.   A critic must also have a highly developed sense of

tradition.

QUALITIES OF  A GOOD CRITIC

 An ideal critic must have knowledge of

technical details of a poem, its genesis, setting, etc.  “ Analysis and comparison, methodically, with

sensitiveness, intelligence, curiosity, intensity of passion and infinite knowledge: all these are necessary to the great critic.” T. S. Eliot

QUALITIES OF  A GOOD CRITIC

Remi de Gourmont says:

“A critic‟s  task is to convert personal impressions into the appearance of an abstract and universal idea”