Literary Criticism - The Nature and Functions of Criticism - Definition and Functions

Sep 19, 2026

Uploaded by Ezra

Literary criticism is explained through its origins and key definitions, drawing on references to Aristotle, Dryden, Webster’s dictionary, Matthew Arnold, and T. S. Eliot. The document outlines what criticism is and what it does, emphasizing instruction, enlightenment, and the judging of literary works. It also discusses how criticism operates through interpretation, comparison, evaluation, and principle formation, while clarifying what it is not. Major critical modes—legislative, aesthetic/theoretical, descriptive, impressionistic, and psychological—are presented with their aims and typical direction toward writers or readers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages112

Reading Time2 h 52 min

AccessFree to download

The Nature and Functions of Criticism

Definitions and Purpose

Functions of Literary Criticism

Relationship Between Author, Reader, and Text

Major Modes of Literary Criticism

Legislative Criticism

Aesthetic or Theoretical Criticism

Descriptive Criticism

Impressionistic Criticism

Psychological Criticism

Literary Criticism ● THE NATURE AND FUNCTIONS OF CRITICISM The word ‘criticism’ – derivedGreek word ‘kritikos’ -Latin word ‘criticus’ ● Dryden-First one to use the word ‘criticism’ In the preface of The State of Innocence he writes,“Criticism , as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant a standard of judging well.” ● Webster’s New International Dictionary defines criticism as “ the art of judging or evaluation with knowledge and propriety the beauties and faults of works of art or literature.” ● To Matthew Arnold,“Criticism is a disinterested endeavour to learn and propagate the best that is known and thought in the world.” ● For T.S. Eliot, is the “commendation and exposition of works of art by means of written words.” Function of criticism is to 1. To instruct 2. To enlighten 3. To judge a work of art and literature. 1.Training of the Writers 2.Interpretation and Judgement of Literature 3.Enlightenment ● Aristotle also talks about how to engage with this particular genre-tragedy. ● Aristotle is the first thinker to talk about the connection between the text and the audience, between what is being performed on stage and responses that the audience who are watching it are also having. ● Literary criticism is the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. ● Literary criticism is the evaluation of literary works. This includes the classification by genre, analysis of structure, and judgement of value." ● Literary criticism asks what literature is, what it does, and what it is worth. " ● Literary criticism is the method used to interpret any given work of literature. The different schools of literary criticism provide us with lenses which ultimately reveal important aspects of the literary work. ● Socrates said so: "The life which is unexamined is not worth living." ● Literary criticism helps us to understand what is important about the text ○ its structure ○ its context: ○ social, economic, historical what is written ○ how the text manipulates the reader | Author | Reader | Text | | --- | --- | --- | ● Literary criticism helps us to understand the relationship between authors, readers, and texts ● The act of literary criticism ultimately enhances the enjoyment of our reading of the literary work Literary criticism has two main functions: ● To analyze, study, and evaluate works of literature ● To form general principles for the examination of works of literature. ● Literary criticism is the comparison, analysis, interpretation, and/or evaluation of works of literature. Literary criticism is essentially an opinion, supported by evidence, relating to theme, style, setting or historical or political context. It usually includes discussion of the work’s content and integrates your ideas with other insights gained from research. Literary criticism may have a positive or a negative bias and may be a study of an individual piece of literature or an author’s body of work. ● literary criticism is NOT a plot summary, a biography of the author, or simply finding fault with the literature. ● Researching, reading, and writing works of literary criticism will help you to make better sense of the work, form judgments about literature, study ideas from different points of view, and determine on an individual level whether a literary work is worth reading. ● Sociological criticism: Like historical criticism, sociological criticism examines literature in the cultural, economic, and political context in which it is written or received. This type of criticism may analyze the social content of a literary work—the cultural, economic, or political values a particular text implicitly or explicitly expresses. Legislative Criticism: 1.It prescribes rules and regulations. 2.It is the earliest kind of criticism. 3.It lays rules for art of writing especially for those of Greek and Latin. It teaches the poet how to write or how to write better. It ass

FAQs

What is the main purpose of literary criticism?

Literary criticism instructs, enlightens, and judges a work of art and literature. It helps readers understand what is important about the text and its relationship to authors and audiences.

How do different definitions describe criticism?

The document defines criticism as judging or evaluation with knowledge and propriety. It also describes criticism as a disinterested effort to learn and spread the best ideas, and as the commendation and exposition of art through written words.

What are the major modes of literary criticism mentioned?

The text presents legislative criticism, aesthetic/theoretical criticism, descriptive criticism, impressionistic criticism, and psychological criticism, each with distinct aims and methods.

Sep 19, 2026

Uploaded by Ezra