assignment:[Major-15]foundation of literary criticism ASSIGNMENT NAME & TOPICS; [ URV ]

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  maharani nandkuvarba mahila arts and commerce college

NAME : Upadhyay Rudri Virendrabhai

 
YEAR: ty [sem-6]


MAIN SUBJECT: English


PAPER NAME: [Major-15]foundation of literary criticism

ASSIGNMENT NAME & TOPICS;

 

1.Class assignment- 
Poetics by Aristotle (Concept of Tragedy)

 

Preface to the Plays of Shakespeare by S. Johnson                                                                           

   2 .Home assignment- Preface to Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth ,

Functions of Criticism at the Present Time by Matthew Arnold

                                                                                                   


     3.ESSAY ASSIGNMET : Tradition and Individual Talent by T.S. Eliot 

 Imagination by I.A Richards                                                                            

                                                

             FACULTY NAME : Shivani ma'am

                                   CLASS ASSIGNMENT 

        1.  Poetics by Aristotle (Concept of Tragedy)

     2.Preface to the Plays of Shakespeare by S.              Johnson


                                       HOME ASSIGNMENT

  1.Preface to Lyrical Ballads by William wordsworth     



Introduction

The Preface to Lyrical Ballads is one of the most important documents in the history of English literary criticism. It was written by William Wordsworth as an introduction to the second edition (1800, expanded in 1802) of Lyrical Ballads, a collection of poems written by Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

This Preface is considered the manifesto of the Romantic Movement in English literature. In it, Wordsworth explains his theory of poetry, its subject matter, language, and purpose.

Main Points of the Preface

1. Definition of Poetry

Wordsworth defines poetry as:

“The spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings; it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.”

Explanation:

  • Poetry is not artificial or mechanical.

  • It comes from deep human emotions.

  • The poet recollects past emotions in a calm state of mind.

  • Poetry is natural and emotional.

This definition emphasizes emotion over reason, which was different from the Neoclassical age.

2. Subject Matter of Poetry

Wordsworth rejects classical themes like kings and heroes.
He chooses:

  • Common rural life

  • Ordinary people

  • Simple incidents

  • Nature

Why Rural Life?

  • Rural people live close to nature.

  • Their emotions are simple and pure.

  • Their language is natural and unaffected.

He believed that simple life represents universal human truth.

3. Language of Poetry

One of the most revolutionary ideas in the Preface is about poetic language.

Wordsworth’s View:

  • Poetry should use the language of common men.

  • It should avoid artificial and ornamental diction.

  • There should be no difference between the language of prose and poetry.

He strongly criticized the artificial poetic diction of 18th-century poets like Alexander Pope.

4. The Role of the Poet

Wordsworth describes the poet as:

  • “A man speaking to men.”

  • A person with more sensitivity and imagination.

  • One who has deeper emotional capacity.

  • A guide and teacher of humanity.

The poet feels more intensely and expresses emotions more powerfully than ordinary people.

5. Poetry and Emotion

According to Wordsworth:

  • Poetry is based on emotion, not intellect.

  • The poet recollects emotions in tranquility.

  • The imagination shapes these emotions into poetry.

This shows the Romantic belief in imagination and feeling.

6. The Purpose of Poetry

Wordsworth believes poetry should:

  • Give pleasure

  • Provide moral improvement

  • Develop sympathy and humanity

  • Strengthen emotional understanding

Poetry connects human beings with nature and each other.

7. Relationship Between Poetry and Nature

Nature plays a central role:

  • Nature is a teacher.

  • Nature shapes human emotions.

  • It gives spiritual and moral guidance.

This idea is clearly seen in poems like Tintern Abbey.

8. Reaction Against Neoclassicism

The Preface is a revolt against:

  • Artificial poetic diction

  • Strict rules

  • Emphasis on reason

  • Urban themes

Wordsworth replaces them with:

  • Simplicity

  • Emotion

  • Imagination

  • Nature

Thus, it marks the beginning of the Romantic Age in English literature.

Critical Evaluation

Merits

  1. Clear definition of poetry.

  2. Emphasis on common life and nature.

  3. Simplicity in language.

  4. Establishes Romantic principles.

  5. Influenced future poets.

Limitations

  1. Poetry cannot be completely separated from prose.

  2. Some poems still use elevated language.

  3. Overemphasis on emotion.

  4. His theory does not apply to all types of poetry.

Conclusion

The Preface to Lyrical Ballads is a landmark in literary criticism. Wordsworth changed the direction of English poetry by emphasizing emotion, imagination, simplicity, and nature. It laid the foundation of Romanticism and remains one of the most influential critical essays in English literature.

  

 2.Functions of Criticism at the Present Time by Matthew Arnold




Introduction

The Function of Criticism at the Present Time (1864) is one of Matthew Arnold’s most important critical essays. In this essay, Arnold explains the role, purpose, and importance of literary criticism in society. He distinguishes between the work of the creative writer and the critic and emphasizes that criticism prepares the way for great creative literature.

This essay reflects the intellectual spirit of the Victorian Age and Arnold’s belief in culture and moral improvement.

Main Ideas of the Essay

1. Meaning and Function of Criticism

Arnold defines criticism as:

“A disinterested endeavour to learn and propagate the best that is known and thought in the world.”

Explanation:

  • Criticism must be disinterested (free from personal bias or political influence).

  • It should seek truth objectively.

  • It should spread the best ideas and knowledge.

Thus, criticism helps in intellectual and cultural development.

2. The Relationship Between Creation and Criticism

Arnold says:

  • Creative power is higher than critical power.

  • However, criticism is necessary to prepare the ground for creation.

According to him:

  • Great literature appears when society has intellectual maturity.

  • Criticism creates that intellectual atmosphere.

So, criticism plays a supporting but important role.

3. The Importance of “Intellectual Atmosphere”

Arnold believes that:

  • England lacked a strong intellectual atmosphere compared to countries like France and Germany.

  • English writers were often influenced by politics and practical life.

  • True criticism requires freedom from political and religious bias.

Thus, critics must focus on ideas, not party interests.

4. Disinterestedness

This is Arnold’s key concept.

Disinterestedness means:

  • Freedom from prejudice.

  • Avoiding political, religious, or personal bias.

  • Seeking truth for its own sake.

A critic must remain neutral and objective.

5. The Touchstone Method

Arnold suggests that:

  • The greatness of poetry can be judged by comparing it with passages from great poets.

  • These selected passages are called “touchstones.”

He admired poets like:

  • Homer

  • Dante Alighieri

  • William Shakespeare

  • John Milton

By comparing new works with these masters, we can judge their quality.

6. Criticism and Culture

Arnold connects criticism with culture.

According to him:

  • Culture means knowing “the best that has been thought and said.”

  • Criticism spreads culture.

  • It refines taste and improves society morally and intellectually.

Thus, criticism has a civilizing function.

7. The Role of the Critic

The critic should:

  • Study widely.

  • Compare ideas.

  • Remain objective.

  • Encourage intellectual growth.

  • Avoid narrow nationalism.

Criticism should be international and open-minded.

Arnold’s Views on English Society

Arnold criticizes:

  • Political narrowness.

  • Religious rigidity.

  • Lack of intellectual curiosity.

He believes criticism can correct these weaknesses.

Merits of Arnold’s Theory

  1. Emphasizes objectivity.

  2. Connects literature with culture.

  3. Encourages high standards.

  4. Promotes intellectual development.

  5. Influenced modern literary criticism.

Limitations

  1. Overemphasis on comparison.

  2. Touchstone method may ignore context.

  3. Too idealistic about objectivity.

  4. Undervalues creative genius compared to criticism.

Conclusion

In The Function of Criticism at the Present Time, Matthew Arnold presents criticism as an essential intellectual activity. Though he places creative power above critical power, he believes criticism prepares the way for great literature. His ideas about disinterestedness, culture, and the touchstone method remain influential in modern criticism.

                                       ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

        1.Tradition and Individual Talent by T.S. Eliot

                           


Introduction

Tradition and the Individual Talent (1919) is one of the most important essays in modern literary criticism. In this essay, T.S. Eliot challenges the Romantic idea that poetry is the expression of personal emotions. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of tradition, impersonality, and the relationship between past and present literature.

This essay marks a shift from Romantic criticism to modern criticism.

Main Ideas of the Essay

1. Concept of Tradition

Eliot gives a new meaning to the word “tradition.”

According to Eliot:

  • Tradition is not merely following old customs.

  • It involves a historical sense.

  • A poet must know and understand the literature of the past.

He says:

“The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past, but of its presence.”

Explanation:

  • The past and present exist together.

  • Every new work of art modifies the existing tradition.

  • Literature forms a continuous order.

Thus, tradition is dynamic, not static.

2. The Historical Sense

The historical sense means:

  • Awareness of the whole of European literature.

  • Understanding how past writers influence the present.

  • Recognizing one’s place in literary tradition.

A poet must develop this sense through study and discipline.

3. Relationship Between Tradition and Individual Talent

Eliot says:

  • True originality comes from tradition.

  • A poet must surrender personal ego to tradition.

  • Individual talent develops within tradition.

When a new poem is written:

  • It changes the meaning of past works.

  • The existing tradition adjusts itself to include the new work.

This shows a mutual relationship between past and present.

4. Theory of Impersonality

One of Eliot’s most famous ideas is that poetry is impersonal.

He argues:

  • Poetry is not the expression of personal emotion.

  • The poet should escape from personality.

  • The poem should stand independently.

He says:

“Poetry is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality.”

This opposes the Romantic view of William Wordsworth, who believed poetry is the expression of emotion.

5. The Chemical Analogy

Eliot explains impersonality using a scientific example:

  • When oxygen and sulfur dioxide combine in the presence of platinum, they form sulfuric acid.

  • Platinum acts as a catalyst.

  • It helps the reaction but remains unchanged.

Similarly:

  • The poet’s mind acts as a catalyst.

  • It combines feelings and experiences.

  • The poet remains separate from the poem.

This shows poetry is an artistic process, not emotional confession.

6. Emotion and Art

Eliot distinguishes between:

  • Personal emotions

  • Artistic emotions

A poet may use emotions, but they must be transformed into art.

He says:

  • Great poetry may be written without strong personal emotion.

  • Artistic discipline is more important than emotional intensity.

7. Objective Correlative (Related Idea)

Though explained fully in another essay, Eliot suggests that:

  • Emotion in poetry should be expressed through a set of objects, situations, or events.

  • These create the desired emotional effect in the reader.

This idea influenced modern drama and poetry.

Reaction Against Romanticism

Eliot criticizes:

  • Excessive emotionalism

  • Individualism

  • Personal expression

He supports:

  • Discipline

  • Tradition

  • Objectivity

Thus, his essay marks the beginning of Modernist criticism.

Critical Evaluation

Merits

  1. New interpretation of tradition.

  2. Emphasizes discipline and study.

  3. Introduces impersonality in art.

  4. Influenced New Criticism.

  5. Connects literature across time.

Limitations

  1. Underestimates personal emotion.

  2. Too intellectual and complex.

  3. Tradition defined mainly as European.

  4. Difficult for common readers.

Conclusion

Tradition and the Individual Talent is a landmark essay in modern criticism. Eliot redefines tradition as a living, dynamic force and emphasizes the importance of impersonality in poetry. By rejecting Romantic emotionalism, he establishes a new critical approach that greatly influenced 20th-century literature.


                        2. Imagination by I.A Richards



Introduction

I. A. Richards was one of the most important modern literary critics of the 20th century. His ideas greatly influenced practical criticism and modern literary theory. In his discussion of Imagination, mainly found in works like Principles of Literary Criticism and Practical Criticism, Richards analyzes imagination from a psychological and scientific perspective.

Unlike Romantic critics who treated imagination as a mysterious creative power, Richards explains it as a mental process that organizes and balances emotions.

Meaning of Imagination According to I.A. Richards

Richards does not give a single fixed definition. Instead, he explains imagination as a mental activity that combines, orders, and harmonizes experiences and emotions.

He believes imagination is:

  • A psychological process

  • A balancing of impulses

  • A unifying power in poetry

Main Points about Imagination

1. Imagination as a Balancing Power

Richards says the human mind contains many impulses and emotions.

  • Some emotions conflict with each other.

  • Imagination organizes and balances these emotions.

  • Poetry creates harmony among different feelings.

Thus, imagination brings emotional order.

2. Synthesis of Opposites

Imagination combines opposite feelings such as:

  • Joy and sorrow

  • Love and hate

  • Hope and despair

This blending creates complex and powerful poetry.

Richards calls this process “synthesis”.

3. Imagination and Psychological Experience

Richards explains imagination in psychological terms:

  • Poetry is not just expression.

  • It is an organization of experiences.

  • The poet arranges emotions into a meaningful pattern.

This shows his scientific approach to criticism.

4. Imagination and Communication

According to Richards:

  • Poetry is a form of communication.

  • The poet’s imagination organizes emotions.

  • The reader’s imagination recreates them.

Thus, imagination works in both the poet and the reader.

5. Difference from Romantic View

Romantic poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge considered imagination a divine creative power.

Richards differs because:

  • He explains imagination scientifically.

  • He does not treat it as mystical.

  • He focuses on psychology rather than philosophy.

6. Imagination and Value of Poetry

For Richards:

  • Good poetry creates emotional balance.

  • It harmonizes conflicting impulses.

  • It provides mental stability.

Therefore, poetry has psychological value.

Importance of Imagination in Criticism

Richards believes:

  • Criticism should study how imagination works.

  • A poem should be analyzed closely.

  • Meaning depends on emotional organization.

This idea influenced New Criticism.

Merits of Richards’ Theory

  1. Scientific and psychological approach.

  2. Clear explanation of emotional balance.

  3. Connects poetry with human experience.

  4. Influenced modern literary criticism.

Limitations

  1. Overemphasis on psychology.

  2. Ignores historical and social context.

  3. Sometimes too technical.

  4. Less focus on beauty and creativity.

Conclusion

I.A. Richards presents imagination as a psychological and organizing power in poetry. Unlike Romantic critics who saw imagination as divine inspiration, Richards explains it scientifically. For him, imagination harmonizes emotions and gives poetry its value. His theory marks an important development in modern literary criticism.


                                          





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