An Introduction to Literary Criticism

By B. Prasad

The final section introduces the complexities of the 20th century. Prasad explains the "New Criticism" movement, which argues that a poem should be analyzed as an independent object, regardless of the author’s life or historical context. He touches upon influential figures like T.S. Eliot , who championed "impersonality" in art, and I.A. Richards , who applied psychological principles to reading. Why the Text Matters What makes Prasad’s work enduring is its clarity and objectivity

• Arnold’s view: “The endeavour to see the object as in itself it really is.”
• Eliot’s view: “The elucidation of works of art and the correction of taste.”

• Each chapter follows a predictable, student-friendly pattern: Introduction → Key concepts → Thinkers → Criticisms of the school → Glossary of terms.
• Chapter-end summaries and “questions for revision” are incredibly helpful for last-minute exam preparation.
• The language is clear, direct, and avoids the dense, esoteric jargon that often frustrates beginners.

: Exploring the hidden motivations of characters or the author’s subconscious. Genre-Specific Analysis

Introduction to Literary Theory and Literary Criticism - Khagarijan College