Assignment on paper no.:3 Literary Theory and criticism

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Paper no.3:Literary Theory And Criticism
Topic:write essay on nature and function of criticism
Name:Chauhan Hetal Mansukhbhai
Roll no.:16
ENROLMENT NO:2069108420180008
Class:sem-1
Submitted to:Department of English,
M.K.B.U

 














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 merit 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 each​ 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 away as it should be. He must know the fact that to understand the works of literature, he needs to put him self in the place of a writer so to tha the can appraise the work from the view point 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 judgment on the literary
works accordingly.

As regards the function of literary criticism, considering the saying of Atkins who says the chief function so literary critics mare , 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 flows if any.

Normally criticism involves a dialogue of some kind ,direct or indirect,and in that
sense criticism is an intrinsically social activity. Even if one is only criticizing a book or an idea in private, it is usually assumed there is  someone who will be made aware of the criticism being expressed at some point, although who exactly will hear it, may also remain unknown. One is still engaging with the ideas of others, even if only indirectly. One can of course also keep a criticism to one self, rather than express or communicate it , but in general the intention is, that someone else ought to be aware of it ,however that may occur. Self-criticism, even if wholly private ,still mentally
takes the concerns of others in to account.

Another meaning of criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature,
artwork, film, and social trends (see the article links below). The goal of this type of criticism is to understand the possible meanings of cultural phenomena,and the
context in which they take shape. In so doing, the attempt is often made to evaluate how cultural productions relate too the cultural productions ,and what their place is within a particular genre, or a particular cultural tradition.

It must be noted that the ultimate objective of any work of literature or artistic​ 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 artist 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.”

A GOOD CRITIC:

A critic is a professional who communicates an assessment and an opinion of various forms of creative works such as art , literature, music, cinema, theater, fashion, architecture, and food. Critics may also take as their subject social or government policy. Critical judgements, whether derived from critical thinking or not, weigh up a range of factors , including an assessment of the extent to which the item under review achieves its purpose and its creator's intention and a knowledge of its
context. They may also include a positive or negative personal response.

Characteristics of a good critic are articulateness, preferably having the ability to use language with a high level of appeal and skill. Sympathy, sensitivity and insight are important too. Form, style and medium are all considered by the critic. In
architecture and food criticism, the item's function, value and cost may be added
components.

Critics  are  publicly  accepted  and, to a significant degree, followed because of the quality of their assessment so their reputation . Influential critics of art, music,
theatre and architecture often present their arguments in complete books. One Very famous examples is John Ruskin's Seven Lamps of Architecture and The Stones of Venice. Critics may base their assessment on a range of theoretical positions. For instance, they may take a Feminist or Freudian perspective.

Unlike other individuals who may editorialize on subjects via websites or letters written to publications, professional critics are paid to produce their assessment and opinions for print, radio, magazine, television, or Internet companies . when their personal opinion outweighs considered judgment, people who give opinions, whether on current events, public affairs, sports, media or art are often referred to as "pundits" instead of critics.
Critics are themselves subject to competing critics , since the final critical judgment always entails some subjectivity. An established critic can play a powerful role as public arbiter of taste or opinion. Also,critics or a coordinated group of critics, may award symbols of recognition.

The Function Of Criticism:

The essay The Functions of Criticism at the Present Time was published by Matthew Arnold in his first collection of critical writing ‘Essays in Criticism in1865.
The essay deals with Arnold's interpretation of criticism and his critique of writers who write politically or religiously. biased
literature thus narrowing its scope.

Idea vs Reality

Arnold starts his essay by saying,“Of the literature of France and Germany, as of the intellect of Europe in general,the main
effort, for now many years, has been a critical effort; the endeavour, in all branches of knowledge , theology, philosophy,history, art, science, to see the object as in itself it really is.”and adds,“ false and malicious criticism had better never been made.”

Here Arnold explains the basic task of any critic . according to him, a critic must perceive any object (work) as it is,without
thinking about the other conditions. Thus for him text should be the whole and a critic should never take the help of any other text for its explanation.

In the next line he condemns the false criticism (which is not original and is biased).

Arnold believes that the creator of a text I is greater than it's critic because “creative activity is the true function of man”,
however it is the critic who draws the true meaning of that particular work of literature.

According to Arnold, for a production of a great literary work, "the power of man” and “the power of moment” i.e. climate of
great ideas must concur. If any one of them is absent then a great work of literature will never be produced.

To Explain this, Arnold takes the example of two poets Goethe and Byron. Both Goethe and Byron had great productive power yet the work of Goethe is more productive than that of Byron because the former had rich cultural background which the latter lacked.

THE NATURE OF CRITICISM :

Here is the nature of criticism: Criticism is evaluative . The fact that criticism is historically synonymous with evaluation is what separates it from other corporate vernacular like feedback, coaching and mentoring. Whatever you are criticizing, you are evaluating the merits and the demerits. Your job is not to“ feedback” a marketing report ; it is to evaluate it and then communicate your evaluation to
the recipient in a way that he or she can use to make their marketing report better. It is no sweat to say the positives but most people perspire when they have to say then negatives, especially if it is telling a fellow worker ,“You stink!”

Arnold confirms that the creative power of poetry requires ideas and material to provide it with inspiration and achieve success . These ideas nourishes the creative power . the critical effort
tries to create cultural environment rich their ides.

He goes on to equate the emotional experience of writing criticism with the emotional experience of writing creative work . He  intends to undermines typical opinion against criticism.He defends criticism against the opinion that believes that it serves no purpose, and that those
who criticized cannot write something creative themselves.

He compares between the success of Goethe and that of Byron. Arnold says that both of them had a great productive power, but Goethe was nourished by great critical effort which provided
there required material for his work. Lord Byron possessed the same gift but was less productive because he found no rich cultural background and material. Byron lacked critical efforts.

Thus , he sees that the poet should understand the world about which he writes . understanding the world needs critical effort and analysis.

Arnold sees that real criticism is essentially the exercise of he quality of curiosity. Curiosity is the disinterested desire for knowledge in all fields. It is an instinct that urges man to seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge . the creative activity must be preceded by criticism. Criticism paves the way for creative activity.

Disinterestedness: Arnold sees that the indispensable rule of English criticism is Disinterestedness or objectivity. It also Means independence of judgement.

How can criticism show disinterestedness?
- Criticism should follow the law of its own nature which is freedom. Criticism should be a free activity which is not subject to any external influence.
-Criticism should refuse to submit to political or practical consideration.
-Criticism should serve nothing but it self.

What  is the business of criticism?
-The  business of criticism is to know the best that is known and thought in the world.
- Moreover, it should spread this knowledge to create a flow of new ideas.
- Its business is to practise the function with strict honesty and sense of duty. He opposes the flexible honest in criticism.

What does hinder criticism?
- Arnold sees that practical considerations hinder faithful criticism and suffocated it. Criticism
should be free of these considerations. It should be firstly a free play of mind. The free play of mind is much more important than any practical ends.

Spiritual Function Of Criticism:

The spiritual function of criticism is to protect man from a self-satisfaction that holds him back.
It lends him to perfection by introducing his mind to excellent ideas, beauty and fitness. Non-objective practical criticism makes man blind to shortcomings and faults in their practice . this will lead to narrow-mindedness.

Arnold specifies certain activity for criticism. Criticism should refrain itself from the sphere of
practical life. It involves itself in a slow and obscure work. The common people never have the enthusiastic motive of seeing things as they are, so inadequate ideas will satisfy them.

Scepticism was a direct result of the new intellectual theories of Darwin. Drawings theory of evolution lead to scepticism about religious beliefs and Christian faith. His theory contradicts the story of creation in the Bible.

Arnold advocates the importance of education. He believed that schools were essential location for civilising and enlightening the next generation of lower classes. He anticipated that this
generation will occupy the political positions. This shows that he has a good
vision because the Victoria age witnessed the gradual rise of the middle class. This also reflects his belief that proper education  is one of the best equipments to have a better life. It is a means
by which man can improve his life and position.

Arnold defines criticism as the disinterested endeavour to learn and propagates the best that is know and thought in the world. He means that it is is an objective and unbiased at tempt to reveal the best ideas that are tackled.

Arnold provides criticism with an important social function and paved the way for its institutionalisation. He means to make criticism a genre for study at school.

Arnoldbelievesthatpoetryisinitsessenceacriticismoflife.Thepoetshouldapplyhisideasto life Poetry should give an answers to the question how to live.

Arnold believes that criticism is responsible for generating the context of ideas and high standards that are required for the production of literature.

In his book Culture and Anarchy, he shows his aim at raising the impulse to the development of the whole man. He wants to create harmony among all parts of man to make him reach perfection . in this book, he gave answers to most of the questions that engaged people and writers' minds such as what kind of education the one should receive. These answers came at a moment in English history when anarchy and social unrest prevailed. He shows that the best
persons would be critics who are unbiased thoughtful and against fanaticism. They aspire to perfection. In Culture and Anarchy, he asserts the value of poetry on attitude to the cultural
anarchy of his age.

Arnold is mainly interested in the personality and moral tone. He was criticised for focusing on
moral tone . He enthusiastically defends the function of criticism and literature against its enemies. He defends culture as "a study of perfection." He believes that culture is seductive and harmonious not conflictual. Arnold sees that criticism requires flexibility and curiosity. The critic
should be also open to life and a true evaluation.

REFERENCES:
www.linkendin.com/pulse/20140728024618-59817714-literary-criticism-nature-and-function
https://www.articlessar.comfunctionscriticism-present-time-arnold
http://educationcing.blogspot.in/2012/07/critical-synopsis-of-matthew-arnold-s.html?m=1