Literary criticism is the evaluation of literary works. This includes its classification by genre, structure, and judgement of value. Literary criticism asks what literature is, what it does, and what it is worth. Literary criticism helps readers interpret the literature we read. Each literary theory provides us with a different way of looking at a given literary work, which can ultimately reveal important aspects about it. The function of literary criticism is to examine the merits and demerits or defects of a work of art and finally to evaluate its worth. The chief function of criticism is to enlighten and stimulate. The true critic is the one who is equipped for his/her task by a sound knowledge of his subject. The true critic can discover the qualities of power, beauty and depth of significance. S/he can give us a fresh point of view. S/he is sometimes a path finder, breaking new ground, with a friendly passion. As such the primary functions of literary criticism are interpretation and judgment. Another important factor to note is that the view of criticism is directly related to the critic's own intellectual philosophy or outlook of life. It is determined by the likes, dislikes, and prejudices of the critic him/herself and this is equally shaped by the socio-political sensibilities of the critic's environment. As such, critical theories are shaped by the spirit of the age.
John Waugh is a distinguished scholar, educator, and literary theorist who has spent over two decades mapping the evolving landscape of critical inquiry. Holding a PhD in Comparative Literature, the he has dedicated his academic career to bridging the gap between historical textual foundations and contemporary avant-garde theories. His research focuses on the mechanics of narrative, the ethics of reading, and the intersection of cultural history with formalist structures. As a dedicated professor, Waugh has designed and taught advanced courses ranging from classical poetics to modern deconstructive practices. This hands-on classroom experience directly shapes the pedagogy of this book. Recognizing that students often find theoretical frameworks intimidating, Waugh masterfully demystifies complex concepts from the rigid mechanics of Structuralism and Formalism to the fluid, radical skepticism of Deconstruction and Post-Structuralism without sacrificing intellectual depth. Beyond his work in structural and post-structural analysis, he is a recognized voice in ethical and socio-literary criticism. His previous monographs and peerreviewed articles explore how modernism responds to shifting social paradigms and how narrative aesthetics influence cultural ethics. Waugh's unique analytical approach balances close textual reading (as seen in the chapters on Textual Criticism and The Proust) with broader cultural and historical contextualization. With Literary Theory and Criticism, he delivers a definitive, panoramic guide for the next generation of literary critics. By synthesized classical fundamentals with contemporary debates like the author provides students and researchers alike with the essential tools needed to interrogate text, culture, and meaning in the modern world. An active public speaker, Professor Waugh recently delivered the 50th Annual Robert Fortenbaugh Memorial Lecture at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Joanna Dunlap Cowden Memorial Lecture at California State University, and the Andrew Bell Appleby Memorial Lecture at San Diego State University. Serving on numerous advisory boards and editorial boards, Dr. Waugh has been honored with four teaching prizes, including UCLA's most prestigious teaching honor, the Distinguished Teaching Award. His dedication to teaching reaches far beyond the campus classroom and he has participated in local, state-wide and national teaching workshops for elementary, middle-school and high school teachers.
Preface 1. Introduction 2. Nature and Function 3. Artistic Literature 4. A Study of Critical Thought 5. Fundamentals of Literary Criticism 6. Textual Criticism 7. Literary Theory and Criticism 8. Historical Criticism 9. The Concept of Structuralism 10. Narrative Poetics 11. Ethical Criticism 12. Deconstruction 13. Anatomy of Criticism 14. The Proust 15. A Reader’s Manifesto 16. Socio-literary Study of Modernism 17. Formalisms 18. Structuralism 19. Deconstruction Bibliography Index
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