The development of literary criticism has progressed steadily over the years, reflecting the evolving perspectives of literary critics. This progression can be understood through three key developmental aspects:
Philosophical Influence: Literary criticism often aligns with dominant philosophical ideas, movements, and trends of a given era. Examples include:
- Classical Criticism (influenced by ancient Greek and Roman thought)
- Neo-Classical Criticism (rooted in rationality and order)
- Romantic Criticism (emphasizing emotion and individualism)
Impact of Broader Developments: Criticism evolves in response to advancements in science, philosophy, and social changes. Examples include:
- Historical Criticism (examining literature in its historical context)
- Realistic Criticism (focusing on life-like representation)
- Marxist Criticism (analyzing class struggle and ideology)
- Feminist Criticism (addressing gender dynamics)
- Psychoanalytic Criticism (exploring subconscious influences on literature)
Internal Developments in Criticism: Some critical approaches emerged from within literary discourse itself. Examples include:
- Narratology (within structuralist criticism, focusing on narrative structure)
- Deconstruction (in post-structuralist criticism, questioning fixed meanings)
Key Literary Critics Across Different Eras
| Era | Critics & Works |
|---|---|
| Ancient & Medieval | Plato, Aristotle, Horace, Longinus |
| Renaissance | Philip Sidney (The Defence of Poesy) |
| Restoration | John Dryden (An Essay of Dramatic Poesy) |
| Neo-Classical Age | Alexander Pope (An Essay on Criticism) |
| Romantic Age | Wordsworth (Preface to Lyrical Ballads), Coleridge (Biographia Literaria), Shelley (A Defence of Poetry) |
| Victorian Age | Matthew Arnold (The Study of Poetry) |
| Modern Age | T. S. Eliot (Tradition and the Individual Talent) |
A Four-Step Approach to Studying Literary Critics
To effectively engage with literary critics and their works, follow these four steps:
Understand the Historical Context
- Study the age, the role of literature and criticism, and the key characteristics of literary works from that period.
Learn About the Critic
- Gain insight into their literary contributions, philosophical influences, and major works.
Read and Analyze the Critical Text
- Take notes on its origin, structure, key themes, and influences.
Extract Key Passages for Analysis
- Writing down excerpts helps in forming critical judgments and understanding the critic’s perspective.
