348. Theory 18: Practical Criticism

Practical Criticism

Definition:
The focus is on text itself. 

In the 1920s, Cambridge faculty, Richards experimented with undergraduate students by giving them a writing to comment. The poem's writer was hidden from the students so that the students had no prejudice. He experimented this to find out that students are not forced to accept our thoughts on the poem or any other writing. Paradox, Irony, Structure and Tension are the tools used while evaluating. As a result, the students remained completely depended on themselves. Reading is a private experience without effects of history, politics, etc.

Empson said that writing should be separated from science. He then extended it to New Criticism. It was the fire from the extended spark of Practical Criticism.

Key Persons:
I. A. Richards 
William Empson
John Crowe Ransom
Cleanth Brookes

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