LITERARY CRITICISM By Dakshita Singh Mam - Introduction to Literary Criticism & Literary Theory - Mimesis, Plato & Aristotle

Sep 19, 2026

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Literary Criticism and Literary Theory are compared through clear definitions, focusing on how texts are interpreted and evaluated. The material outlines criticism’s attention to meaning, aesthetic judgment, author intent, and reader response, while theory is framed as broader interpretive principles that guide analysis. It then surveys historical scope, contrasting earlier approaches with mainly 20th-century theoretical developments. The core Plato section covers mimesis, three levels of reality, distrust of emotions, moral criticism, censorship, and the poet versus philosopher distinction, followed by Aristotle’s view of imitation as natural and educational.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages49

Reading Time1 h 15 min

AccessFree to download

Literary Criticism vs Literary Theory

Definitions and Focus

Historical Scope and Nature

Plato: Theories and Ideas

Mimesis (Imitation)

Three Levels of Reality

Distrust of Emotions and Moral Criticism

Theory of Forms

Censorship in the Ideal State (Book X)

Poet vs Philosopher

The Form of the Good

Aristotle: Theories and Ideas

Mimesis Reimagined

Types of Poetry

| Aspect | Literary Criticism | Literary Theory | | --- | --- | --- | | Definition | The practice of analyzing,
interpreting,and evaluating
literature. | The frameworks used to
analyze literature,often
abstract and interdisciplinary. | | Focus | What the text means;aesthetic
judgment;author's intent,
reader's response,etc. | How we interpret;the
principles behind
interpretation itself. | | Historical Scope | Ancient to 19th century
(Aristotle to Arnold and Eliot). | Predominantly 20th century
onwards. | | Nature | More text-centered and
evaluative. | More concept-driven,
philosophical,abstract. | | Example | T.S.Eliot analyzing Milton's
verse style. | Derrida arguing that meaning
is always deferred in language. | | Aspect | Literary Criticism | Literary Theory | | --- | --- | --- | | Definition | The practice of analyzing,
interpreting,and evaluating
literature. | The frameworks used to
analyze literature,often
abstract and interdisciplinary. | | Focus | What the text means;aesthetic
judgment;author's intent,
reader's response,etc. | How we interpret;the
principles behind
interpretation itself. | | Historical Scope | Ancient to 19th century
(Aristotle to Arnold and Eliot). | Predominantly 20th century
onwards. | | Nature | More text-centered and
evaluative. | More concept-driven,
philosophical,abstract. | | Example | T.S.Eliot analyzing Milton's
verse style. | Derrida arguing that meaning
is always deferred in language. | # Plato's Theories and Ideas: The Republic lon Phaedrus Symposium Gorgias Apology Laws DAKSHA SINGH # Mimesis(Imitation) ·Art is an imitation of the physical world,which itself is an imitation ofthe world of ideal Forms. ·Therefore,art is twice removed from reality and truth. ·Example:A painter paints a bed→imitation of the physical bed→which itself is an imitation of the ideal bed(Form). # Three Levels of Reality: ·World of Forms-Ideal,unchanging reality(most real). ·Physical World-Imperfect copy of the forms. ·Art-Imitation of an imitation(least real;furthest from truth). 日3上工防反 # Distrust of Emotions ·Literature appeals to irrationalemotions,not reason. ·Encourages irrationality,passion,and chaos in the soul. # Moral Criticism ·Condemns poetry for misrepresenting gods and heroes(e.g.,in Homer). ·Believes poetry may corrupt youthand spread immoral values. # Theory of Forms ·Reality exists in two realms: a)Ideal/Intelligible Realm(unchanging truth) b)Physical/Sensible Realm(changing,deceptive) ·Literature imitates the physical world,not the world of forms—hence it ismisleading. # Censorship in the Ideal State (The Republic,Book X) ·Poets should be excluded from the ideal Republic. ·Only those who promote virtue and reason should be allowed. ·Art may corrupt the youth,spread false ideas,and promote irrationality. # Poet vs.Philosopher ·Poet=imitator of appearance,emotionally manipulative ·Philosopher=lover of truth,rational and wise # The Form of the Good: ·Plato believed that the Form of the Good is the highest Form and the source of allother Forms. ·Beauty:While we can perceive beautiful objects,the true essence of beauty exists inthe Form of Beauty,which is perfect and unchanging. # Aristotle's Theories andIdeas: MetaphysicsNicomachean EthicsPolitics De Anima(On the Soul)PoeticsPhysicsRhetoric DAKSHIA SINGH Mimesis Reimagined ·Imitation is natural and human. ·Humans learn through imitation;poetry is a constructive and valuableform of imitation. # Types of Poetry ·Distinguished by: ·Medium (language,rhythm,melody) ·Objects(noble vs.base characters) ·Mode (narrative vs.dramatic) ## Main types: ·Epic poetry ·Tragedy ·Comedy ·Satire ·Dithyrambic poetry

FAQs

What is the key difference between literary criticism and literary theory?

Literary criticism emphasizes analyzing and evaluating literature’s meaning and aesthetic judgment, including intent and reader response. Literary theory provides frameworks and principles that guide how interpretation itself is carried out.

How does Plato explain mimesis and its impact on truth?

Plato argues art imitates the physical world, which itself imitates the world of ideal Forms. As a result, art is twice removed from reality and truth, making it misleading.

Why does Plato distrust emotions in literature, and what does he propose for the ideal state?

Plato claims literature appeals to irrational emotions rather than reason and can encourage irrationality and chaos in the soul. In the ideal state, poets should be excluded because art may corrupt youth and promote false ideas.

Sep 19, 2026

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