Criticism

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Criticism in literature means the study, interpretation, and evaluation of literary works. It helps readers understand the meaning, style, structure, and value of poems, novels, plays, and other writings. Literary criticism is not just about finding faults; it is about understanding literature deeply and thinking about how it affects readers and society.

Main Features of Literary Criticism

Analysis – Critics carefully examine the language, themes, characters, and structure of a work.
Interpretation – Criticism explains what a literary work means and how it creates meaning.
Evaluation – Critics judge whether a work is good, powerful, original, or important.
Different Approaches – There are many ways to study literature, such as historical, feminist, psychological, or Marxist criticism.

Famous Critics and Critical Works

Aristotle – In his work "Poetics", he gave early ideas about drama, especially tragedy.
Samuel Johnson – His book "Preface to Shakespeare" praised Shakespeare’s characters and language.
Matthew Arnold – In "The Function of Criticism at the Present Time", he argued that criticism should guide people toward truth and beauty.
T.S. Eliot – His essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent" discussed the role of the poet and the importance of tradition in writing.

Importance in Literature

Criticism helps people see more in a literary work than they might at first. It reveals deeper meanings and connections. It also helps writers grow by showing strengths and weaknesses. Through criticism, literature becomes a shared experience where ideas are explored and discussed.


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