Criticism: The Major Texts

Criticism: The Major Texts compiles essential works of literary criticism from antiquity through the mid-20th century. The anthology presents writings from influential critics and theorists including Aristotle, Longinus, Sidney, Johnson, Wordsworth, Coleridge, and T.S. Eliot. Editor Walter Jackson Bate provides historical context and analytical introductions for each selection. The texts are organized chronologically to show the evolution of literary criticism across different periods and movements. The collection contains both complete works and key excerpts that represent major developments in critical theory and aesthetic philosophy. These primary sources reveal how approaches to evaluating literature have transformed over time. This compilation examines fundamental questions about the nature of art, creativity, and interpretation that remain relevant to modern literary discourse. The selected texts demonstrate the ongoing dialogue between critics across centuries as they grapple with defining the purpose and methods of literary analysis.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Walter Jackson Bate's overall work: Readers consistently praise Bate's biographies for their depth of research and psychological analysis. His "Samuel Johnson" biography draws particular appreciation for its detailed portrayal of Johnson's personality and struggles. One reader noted: "Bate doesn't just tell us what Johnson did - he helps us understand why." Readers appreciate: - Clear writing style that makes complex subjects accessible - Integration of psychological insights with historical facts - Thorough documentation and research - Balance between academic rigor and engaging narrative Common criticisms: - Length and detail can be overwhelming for casual readers - Academic tone in some sections - Limited coverage of certain periods in subjects' lives Ratings: Goodreads: - Samuel Johnson: 4.3/5 (182 ratings) - John Keats: 4.1/5 (156 ratings) - The Burden of the Past: 3.9/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: - Samuel Johnson: 4.6/5 (32 reviews) - John Keats: 4.4/5 (28 reviews)

Critical Theory Since Plato by Hazard Adams This anthology traces the development of literary criticism and theory from ancient Greece through the twentieth century with primary source readings from major critics and philosophers.

The Critical Tradition by David H. Richter The text presents core theoretical writings from classical times to post-modernism, organized chronologically to show the evolution of literary criticism as a discipline.

Literary Theory: An Anthology by Julie Rivkin, Michael Ryan This collection compiles essential texts that shaped major critical movements including formalism, structuralism, Marxism, psychoanalysis, and post-colonialism.

The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism by Vincent B. Leitch This comprehensive volume contains primary theoretical texts spanning from classical antiquity to contemporary criticism, with extensive introductions providing historical context.

Critical Theory Today by Lois Tyson The text examines major schools of literary criticism through practical application to literary texts, demonstrating critical methods in practice.

🔖 The book, first published in 1952, became one of the most influential anthologies of literary criticism used in American universities for several decades 📚 Walter Jackson Bate won the Pulitzer Prize twice - for biographies of John Keats (1964) and Samuel Johnson (1978) - after publishing this anthology 🎓 The anthology spans 2,300 years of critical thought, from Plato and Aristotle through T.S. Eliot and I.A. Richards 📖 Bate organized the selections to show how each era's critics built upon or reacted against their predecessors, creating a narrative of critical evolution 🏛️ As a Harvard professor, Bate taught a legendary course on literary criticism using this book as the primary text, influencing generations of scholars and writers including Harold Bloom