Critical Reading in a Modern World

Critical Reading in a Modern World

• Critical reading is more important than ever, especially given events like September 11, 2001.
• Misunderstanding and inadequate education create significant dangers.
• Understanding diverse perspectives (across languages and cultures) is crucial to understanding our own present.
• Critical examination of our past is essential to interpreting our present.
• We need to critically examine various documents/cultural, political, and religious documents to understand our identity.

Methodology of the Book

• The book uses five core principles to overcome the difficulties of modern literary criticism.
• These principles include connecting literary history with broader Western thought.
• The methodology includes a historical context for understanding literary criticism.
• This example includes examining the writings of Plato and Kant.

Ancient Greek Criticism

• The English word "criticism" comes from the ancient Greek word krites, meaning "judge."
• Early Greek criticism was involved in the act of poetic creation itself, involving judgement about themes and techniques.
• In Ancient Greece, the "rhapsode" was a professional singer involved in the process of self-assessment, reflection and judgment of the creative act.
• The study of criticism goes back to the epic Greek poets Homer and Hesiod and the lyric poets.
• Literary criticism began around 800 years before the birth of Christ. This era included epic poets and lyric poets.

Athenian Literary Criticism

• Literary criticism in ancient Athens was linked to dramatic festivals that were organized as competitions, judging the best drama.
• The play The Frogs by Aristophanes demonstrates a literary critical discussion in ancient Greece.
• The play The Frogs discusses differences of opinion between two prominent playwrights—Aeschylus and Euripides – during a time of political division.
• Citizens were expected to understand allusions to previous works.
• Literary criticism was often used to entertain and educate, as well as to discuss politics.

The Nature and Functions of Poetry

• Ancient Greeks saw poetry as a fundamental element in education and civic responsibility.
• Poetry was connected to morality, religion, and the entire sphere of civic responsibility.
• Poetry provided a forum for the discussion of wider issues.
• The Greek concept of "mimesis"—imitation—and its connection to truth and goodness influenced literary criticism.
• The "canon"—an important body of literary works—was developed in the Hellenistic period.