What is Practical Criticism?
Practical Criticism is a literary approach that focuses on close reading and direct analysis of a text, without considering its historical, biographical, or social context. It emphasizes textual interpretation, concentrating on the words, structure, tone, and literary devices used by the author.
This approach allows readers to develop their critical thinking skills and engage deeply with the text itself, rather than relying on background information or external influences.
Origin of Practical Criticism
Practical Criticism was pioneered by I.A. Richards, a British literary critic, in his 1929 book Practical Criticism: A Study of Literary Judgment.
Key Aspects of I.A. Richards’ Approach:
- He conducted experiments by giving anonymous poems to students, asking them to interpret them without knowing the author or historical background.
- He analyzed the different ways students responded to texts, leading to the development of a structured approach to literary analysis.
- His work influenced New Criticism, a literary movement that promoted text-centered analysis.
Key Features of Practical Criticism
- Focus on the Text
- Practical Criticism treats the text as self-contained, meaning all meaning must be derived from the text itself.
- Objective Analysis
- It avoids personal emotions and external influences, emphasizing an unbiased interpretation.
- Close Reading
- Readers pay attention to word choice, imagery, tone, style, and structure.
- Interpretation of Meaning
- The approach encourages multiple interpretations based purely on textual evidence.
Importance of Practical Criticism
✅ Develops independent thinking—Readers analyze literature without preconceived notions.
✅ Enhances close reading skills—Helps in understanding deeper meanings in a text.
✅ Encourages detailed textual analysis—Improves the appreciation of literary devices.
✅ Forms the foundation of modern literary studies—Used in classrooms and literary research.
However, it ignores historical, social, and cultural contexts, which can sometimes be essential to fully understanding a literary work.
Conclusion
Practical Criticism remains a valuable tool for analyzing literature, helping readers engage with the text’s intrinsic qualities. It is widely used in academic settings and has significantly influenced modern literary analysis.
