Principles of literary criticism

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

73827

Title

Principles of literary criticism

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

I. A. Richards presents a scientific and psychological approach to literary criticism, arguing that art is an appraisal of existence rather than mere moral instruction. Rejecting obsolete ethical codes, he proposes a morality based on the organization of impulses and the satisfaction of appetencies without conflict. This work rehabilitates English criticism by applying rigorous analysis to poetry, painting, sculpture, and music, demonstrating how the artist orders chaotic experiences into valuable, coherent responses that enhance human life.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Principles of Literary Criticism*, I. A. Richards fundamentally reshapes the discipline by dismantling traditional theories rooted in abstract virtues and vices. Instead, he proposes a rigorous psychological framework centered on the organization of mental impulses. Richards argues that value is not found in conformity to rigid rules but in the successful coordination of activities that minimize waste and frustration. He posits that great art functions as a communication of experience, requiring both an artist's ability to organize complex responses and an audience's capacity to receive them. Richards systematically analyzes various art forms—poetry, painting, sculpture, and music—through chapters dedicated to their specific mechanisms, such as rhythm, form, and harmony. He addresses controversial topics including Tolstoy's infection theory, the distinction between imagination and fancy, and the relationship between art and morality. A central theme is his contention that great artists possess a unique 'vigilance.' This state allows them to admit diverse impulses without confusion, creating works that offer a more perfect organization for the reader's mind. By clearing away what he terms 'ethical lumber' and superstitious interpolations, Richards establishes criticism as a vital discipline concerned with the health of the mind. He asserts that morality is essentially a problem of organization within the individual and society. In this view, good experiences are those where impulses are fulfilled without interfering with more important ones. The artist, therefore, acts as an expert in 'minute particulars,' ordering what is often disordered in ordinary minds. Richards contends that bad taste and crude responses are not mere flaws but root evils that prevent a life from being excellent. The book further explores the availability of the poet's experience, arguing that it stems from a highly organized nervous system capable of reviving past experiences with clarity and discrimination. This 'vigilance' allows the artist to connect disparate elements of experience in ways unavailable to the ordinary person. Ultimately, Richards presents literary criticism not as a luxury trade but as an essential rear-guard activity for society, necessary for navigating modern complexities and appreciating the full range of human experience through a scientific and psychological understanding of value.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Criticism