Uses and Abuses of Criticism

CRITICISM: USES AND ABUSES

Criticism is an art of interpreting art. It examines, interprets, evaluates the work of art and takes final judgment on it. It provides an important link between the author and the reader. But criticism has its own pros and cons, merits and demerits, uses and abuses.

USES OF CRITICISM:

1. Literature contains high philosophical ideas. Hence, it becomes difficult for the reader to understand and enjoy the work of art. But the critic explains all high philosophical ideas in a simpler manner and makes it easier for the reader.

2.  The critic is just like a honeybee. He squeezes the merits of the work of art, appreciates the author and then advises the readers to read it.

3.  The critic points out at the demerits of the authors and advises them to avoid the anomalies.

4. The criticism provides a commentary on literature and hence it makes literature more interesting. Do we enjoy a football or cricket match without the commentators? No.

5.  The critic reads the most successful works of past and present and formulates theories and laws which are helpful for the authors to produce the works of high standard.

6. The critic develops new techniques to interpret and understand the work of art and he enlightens the readers and teaches these techniques to the reader.

7.  Criticism provides a link between the author and the reader.

ABUSES OF CRITICISM:

1.  One critic interprets the works of art from his own perspectives. Another critic examines the same work of art from a different perspective. Hence, both critical works differ and this creates confusion in the reader’s mind.

2.  Ideologies, likes and dislikes change from time to time. Hence, criticism of one age is different from that of another which creates confusion in the reader’s mind.

3. Too many critical works in the market takes the readers away from the original text. Sometimes the readers read the critical works and not the original texts.

4. After having read critical comments, when the readers read the original text, he fails to understand and enjoy the work from his own perspectives. The reader is much influenced by the critic’s point of view and fails to understand the author’s point of view.

CONCLUSION:

In this way, criticism has its merits as well as demerits. Art and criticism go side by side, hand in hand. Though criticism helps us understand and interpret the works in a better way, too many critical writings on the same works of art creates confusion and it harms our original, first-hand experience.

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