Literary

criticism
expression of human feelings,
thoughts, and ideas whose
medium is language.
Literature is an art
Fictional
Literature is expressive
Literature is affective
Language of Literature
 Primarily the language of literature
differs from ordinary language in three
ways

1. Language is concentrated and meaningful

2. Its purpose is simply to explain, argue or
make a point but rather to give a sense of
pleasure in the discovery of new
experience
3. It demands intense concentration from
the readers.
Literary Theory and

Literary Criticism
Literary Criticism
The study, evaluation and interpretation
of literature.

LC is fundamentally the
estimation of the value of a
particular work on such grounds.
Literary Theory
Process of understanding
what the nature of literature
is, what functions it has, what
the of the text is to the author,
to reader, to language , to
society and to history.
Purpose of Literature
1. Literature as a form of Pleasure

Provides aesthetic
satisfaction
2. Literature provides a form of Escape

This purpose is related to the notion

literature as a substitute for life.

Why do many people shell out money

to buy books? Why do people like to
curl up in bed with a good novel ?
How escape through literature made
possible?

Through the skillful handling of the

various aspects of narrative such as plot
and characterization.

When we read a story, we accept the truth

that it presents and identify with the reality
that it embodies.
 Literature provides
aesthetic satisfaction

How often have we heard readers say “ What a wonderful

book this is! Its language is so beautiful! Its so well
written.
Readers attention is focused on form, technique and style.
They take delight in the way the work has been executed
 Literature provides a way of
interpreting the world

“World is never the same”

It is the social function of poets and artists to renew
continually the appearance nature has for the eyes of
men