1. THE NATURE AND FUNCTION OF LITERARY CRITICISM Prof. Ketan Pandya Prof. V. I.

Patel
2. The Origin and Meaning of the term CRITICISM The term criticism derives from
the Greek term kritikos , which was used in the 4 th century B.C. It means a judge
of literature . In the 2 nd century A.D. its place was taken by the term criticus ,
aimed at the interpretation of texts and words and improvement of the works of
writers in Greek or Latin.
3. 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.
4. The Function of CRITICISM Judgement : In its strict sense, criticism means
judgement. 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.
5. The primary function of a literary critic is to arrive at and pronounce a meaningful
judgement 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.
6. 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 )
7. 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 )
8. 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 critics duty. (Walter
Pater)
9. Poetry is a criticism (interpretation) of life. Criticism is an interpretation of that
interpretation. 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 .
10. 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.
11. Matthew Arnold defines criticism as a disinterested endeavour to learn and
propagate the best that is known and thought in the world.
12. 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.
13. 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 .
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. Literary Criticism & 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.
17. According to D. H. Lawrence, criticism can never be a science. In first place,
criticism is much too personal , and secondly, it is concerned with values that
science ignores . The touch-stone is emotion, not reason.
18. A perfect judge will read each work of wit With the same spirit that its author
writ. (Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism )
19. 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."
20. 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.
21. 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
22. Remi de Gourmont A critics task is to convert personal impressions into the
appearance of an abstract and universal idea
What Are the Functions of Literary Criticism?

The primary function of literary criticism is to interpret literature in a way that will
increase understanding, according to the English department of Georgia Perimeter
College. Literary criticism began in 19th century Europe among the bourgeois class,
writes Professor Terry Eagleton of the University of Manchester in "The Function of
Criticism: From the Spectator to Post-Structuralism." Academics in the literary, political
and philosophical fields assembled to discuss literature and apply the resulting ideas to
their areas of interest.

Understanding Meaning

The Victorian poet Matthew Arnold was the first contemporary literary critic, S.N.
Radhika Lakshmi writes on the website Literature-Study Online. Arnold's criticism
usually involved poetry; his support of literary criticism greatly influenced the literary
world, building a new appreciation for its practice. Arnold's scientific approach to
criticism included both individual and comparative evaluations. He would explore an
author's purpose for writing, helping to determine what the author was saying beyond
the obvious.

Philosophy

Arnold was a moralist who based his interpretations on this philosophical foundation,
Lakshmi writes. Arnold assumed the position that poetry ought to have a moral
foundation, with positive ideals and perspectives to communicate to readers. He thought
that poetry founded on amoral or indifferent beliefs was counterproductive and
rebellious to life itself.

Discover History

Citing Aristotle, Arnold believed that poetry was more valid than historical accounts
because it was created as an emotional reaction to events instead of being a subjective
report. He based his moralist perspectives on this belief. By assessing literary devices,
metaphors, similes, social norms and societal interpretations in literature from a given
period, you can learn a lot about that period as well as about its society.
Develop Writing Skills

Literary criticism will not only help students better understand literature, but it will also
help them to write it, according to the humanities department at Georgia Perimeter
College. Literary criticism and interpretation give meaning and value to an author's
work. It is important for every writer to understand literary criticism so that he can
improve the way he communicates directly and indirectly. Literary criticism also helps
students discover new ideas, develop philosophical positions and learn about the
nuances of societies from throughout history.

Literary Criticism Nature and

Function
The word criticism has been derived from the Greek word which
means Judgment. A critic is a person who expresses opinions about the
good and bad qualities of books or the works of literature or poetry or
the art of an artist or a painter. It can be said that criticism is the play of
the mind to observe the merits and the defects in the works of literature,
as Victor Hugo points out, Is the work good or bad is the critic's
domain? Thus, the objective of literary criticism is to determine the
artistic values, poetic beauty, or the features being regarded as
inadequate existing in the works of literature that in turn may help the
writer or poet to improve the skills and ultimately the literary works
could in this way attract and delight the readers.
While discussing literary criticism, it is important and interesting to
know the qualities of a critic in brief, to begin with, first and foremost,a
critic must have a sound commonsense and clear thinking in order to
judge or evaluate the works of literature in an efficient way. He is well-
read person to exercise judgment on literary works in a way as it should
be. He must know the fact that to understand the works of literature,he
needs to put himself in the place of a writer so to that he can appraise the
work from the viewpoint of a writer as well. In order that the excellence
or shortcomings may be examined properly, he does not preform
opinion, but interprets literary values on the basis of his knowledge and
experience - without an aggressive and unreasonable belief or without
any prejudice. And finally, a sound knowledge of human life
and nature is a plus point to a critic to pass judgments on the literary
works accordingly.
As regards the function of literary criticism, considering the saying of
Atkins who says the chief functions of literary criticism are, evaluation,
interpretation and explanation or elucidation, it may be said that literary
criticism involves various aspects to examine the literary work in order
to conclude good qualities and the defects in the works of literature
which successively can facilitate the writer to achieve the merits while
allowing him to overcome the flaws if any.

It must be noted that the ultimate objective of any work of literature or

art is to attract the readers or the viewers or observers with excellence
while delighting them aesthetically.It is thus by means of criticism to
determine whether an artist or a writer has been able to create distinctive
values in his work or not. At this stage, it would be appropriate to say
that criticism is not just fault-finding but helping the writers or poets or
artists in achieving the excellence in their works that the ultimate
objective which is wanted must be attained. At this point, the saying of
T.S. Eliot is worth mentioning, The end of criticism is the elucidation
of works of art and the correction of taste.