Criticism: The Major Texts

Ed. Walter Jackson Bate. New York: Harcourt Brace & World, Inc. 1952.

Why read it? This is a textbook from my days as an English major. It is actually a compilation of famous statements on literature by literary critics. If you like reading the literary classics, you will find this book invaluable.

Some sample quotes:

“If the student can vividly see the end of art as a heightened awareness of reality….” p. x. ………. “…the classical attitude has always meant a comparative lack of interest…in the artist himself—in the psychological character of his imagination…and especially in his own subjective feelings…. Art should seek to be objective.” p. 3. ………. “ ‘Imitation’: …especially important to cut off any associations with photographic copying…an attempt to offer an active counterpart of its model.” pp. 4-5. ………. “…optimistic confidence in the ability of reason…to reach final and conclusive answers.”

According to Aristotle: “The plot must contain within itself the conditions that lead to its culmination rather than rely on mere chance or some external deus ex machina who suddenly resolves all the difficulties artificially.” p. 15. ………. Aristotle: “…the main character of tragedy should have a ‘tragic flaw’ … not to allow the character to be simply the victim of unpredictable and undeserved calamities…a man of some stature ‘brought from prosperity to adversity’ as a result ‘of some great error or frailty.’ ” ………. “ ‘Katharsis’: Through pity and fear effecting a …purgation of these emotions…operates by a process which first excites and then tranquilizes emotion.” pp. 17-18.

“ ‘Probability’ implies that the culmination of what happens arises naturally and inevitably, by causal interrelation, out of what precedes it.” p. 16. ………. “…the tragic fall is much greater to the degree…that he himself is aware…of what is happening.” p. 16. ………. Aristotle: “Comedy…consists in some defect or ugliness which is not painful or destructive.” p. 22.

If you enjoyed reading these thoughts by Aristotle on art and tragedy and comedy, then you will enjoy the ideas of the other critics quoted in this book. RayS.