The Attack on Literature and Other Essays

The Attack on Literature and Other Essays collects René Wellek's writings on literary criticism and theory from the 1970s. The essays examine challenges to literature's status and importance during a period of significant cultural change. Wellek addresses specific movements and trends that he sees as threats to literature, including structuralism, post-structuralism, and certain forms of literary criticism. Through analysis of key texts and thinkers, he defends the continued relevance and value of literature as an art form. The collection includes essays on topics like "The Fall of Literary History," "The New Nihilism in Literary Studies," and "Literary Theory, Criticism, and History." Wellek draws from his extensive knowledge of European and American literary traditions to construct his arguments. These essays represent Wellek's intellectual response to what he perceived as a crisis in literary studies, exploring fundamental questions about the nature and purpose of literature itself. The work continues to spark discussion about literature's role in culture and academia.

The book appears to have limited reader reviews available online, with minimal presence on major review sites like Goodreads and Amazon. Academic readers appreciate Wellek's defense of literature as an art form and his critiques of various theoretical approaches. One reviewer on JSTOR noted the book's "clear articulation of the problems facing literary studies." A few scholarly citations praise his analysis of the relationship between literature and linguistics. Common criticisms focus on the dense academic writing style and assumption of prior knowledge. Some readers found the essays disconnected and preferred his earlier works on literary theory. Available Ratings: Goodreads: No ratings Amazon: No ratings Google Books: No user reviews Note: This book is primarily discussed in academic contexts rather than consumer review sites. The limited public feedback makes it difficult to gauge broader reader reception.

Theory of Literature by René Wellek, Austin Warren A systematic examination of literary theory and criticism that shares Wellek's commitment to defending literature as an academic discipline.

The Mirror and the Lamp by M. H. Abrams This foundational work traces the evolution of literary theory from classical to romantic periods, complementing Wellek's focus on critical traditions.

Literary Theory: An Introduction by Terry Eagleton The text provides a comprehensive overview of twentieth-century literary theories while addressing the political dimensions of literary criticism.

Critical Theory Since Plato by Hazard Adams This collection presents primary sources in literary criticism from ancient to modern times, offering context for the theoretical developments Wellek discusses.

The Critical Tradition by David H. Richter The book assembles major statements in literary criticism and theory from classical antiquity to postmodernism, serving as a companion to Wellek's analysis of critical movements.

📚 René Wellek helped establish comparative literature as a distinct academic discipline in American universities during the mid-20th century. 🎓 The book challenges the then-emerging trends of deconstruction and reader-response theory, defending traditional literary criticism and the concept of aesthetic value. ✍️ Wellek wrote this collection of essays late in his career (published 1982), drawing on over four decades of experience as one of the most influential literary theorists of his time. 🌍 The author fled his native Czechoslovakia twice - first from the Nazis and later from the Communist regime - before settling in America where he wrote most of his major works. 📖 The title essay responds to various "attacks" on literature from different fields including linguistics, psychology, and sociology, all of which attempted to reduce literature to their specific disciplinary frameworks.