Criticism and Theory: A Companion

Explore the Masters of Literary Criticism - A Comprehensive Collection

Unlock the secrets of literary analysis and delve into the minds of renowned critics with our curated collection of timeless texts. Perfect for students, scholars, and literature enthusiasts, this collection offers profound insights into the world of literary theory and criticism.

Unit I: Ancient Foundations of Criticism

1. Bhartrhari's "On Syntax and Meaning"
- Dive into the ancient Indian wisdom of Bhartrhari as he unravels the intricate connection between syntax and meaning.

2. Anandavardhana's "Dhvani: Structure of Poetic Meaning"
- Explore the structural intricacies of poetic meaning as envisioned by Anandavardhana.

3. Kuntaka's "Language of Poetry and Metaphor"
- Journey through the world of metaphorical expression in poetry with Kuntaka's profound insights.

Unit II: Aristotle's Poetics

4. Aristotle's "The Poetics"
- Immerse yourself in Aristotle's timeless treatise on the essence of drama and poetry. This edition is translated by Ingram Bywater with a preface by Gilbert Murray and notes by A. Sholtz.

Unit III: Romantic and Victorian Poetics

5. William Wordsworth's "Preface to Lyrical Ballads" (1802)
- Gain a deep understanding of the Romantic movement as Wordsworth reflects on the principles that shaped his poetry.

6. S.T. Coleridge's "Biographia Literaria"
- Journey through Coleridge's life and thoughts as he offers profound literary reflections in his "Biographia Literaria."

7. Percy Bysshe Shelley's "A Defence of Poetry"
- Delve into Shelley's passionate defense of the role of poetry as a transformative force in society.

8. Matthew Arnold's "The Study of Poetry"
- Explore Matthew Arnold's views on the importance of studying poetry as a means to understand culture and society.

Unit IV: Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism

9. I.A. Richards' "Metaphor" and "The Command of Metaphor"
- Examine the significance of metaphor in language and literature through the lens of I.A. Richards.

10. Boris Eichenbaum's "The Formal Method"
- Explore Eichenbaum's contributions to formalist literary criticism and its impact on literary studies.

11. Cleanth Brooks' "The Formalist Critics" 
- Dive into the world of formalist criticism with Cleanth Brooks as he dissects the structure and meaning of literary works.

12. Northrop Frye's "The Archetypes of Literature" 
- Gain a deep understanding of archetypal criticism with Northrop Frye's exploration of universal themes and symbols in literature.

Unearth the wisdom of these literary giants, trace the evolution of critical thought, and enrich your understanding of literature. This collection is your gateway to a profound exploration of the art and science of literary criticism.

Author: A.N. Dwivedi

ISBN: 9788107764155

Edition & Year: 2023