About the book
Why do we read literature and how do we judge it? C. S. Lewis's classic An Experiment in Criticism springs from the conviction that literature exists for the joy of the reader and that books should be judged by the kind of reading they invite. He argues that \"good reading,\" like moral action or religious experience, involves surrender to the work in hand and a process of entering fully into the opinions of others: \"in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself.\" Crucial to his notion of judging literature is a commitment to laying aside expectations and values extraneous to the work, in order to approach it with an open mind. Amid the complex welter of current critical theories, C. S. Lewis's wisdom is valuably down-to-earth, refreshing and stimulating in the questions it raises about the experience of reading.
Editions of Experiment in Criticism
- EBook
- ISBN 9780062313713
Read an Excerpt
Why do we read literature and how do we judge it? C. S. Lewis's classic An Experiment in Criticism springs from the conviction that literature exists for the joy of the reader and that books should be judged by the kind of reading they invite. He argues that \"good reading,\" like moral action or religious experience, involves surrender to the work in hand and a process of entering fully into the opinions of others: \"in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself.\" Crucial to his notion of judging literature is a commitment to laying aside expectations and values extraneous to the work, in order to approach it with an open mind. Amid the complex welter of current critical theories, C. S. Lewis's wisdom is valuably down-to-earth, refreshing and stimulating in the questions it raises about the experience of reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Experiment in Criticism about?
Why do we read literature and how do we judge it? C. S. Lewis's classic An Experiment in Criticism springs from the conviction that literature exists for the joy of the reader and that books should be judged by the kind of reading they invite. He argues that \"good reading,\" like moral action or religious experience, involves surrender to the work in hand and a process of entering fully into the opinions of others: \"in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself.\" Crucial to his notion of judging literature is a commitment to laying aside expectations and values extraneous to the work, in order to approach it with an open mind. Amid the complex welter of current critical theories, C. S. Lewis's wisdom is valuably down-to-earth, refreshing and stimulating in the questions it raises about the experience of reading.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Experiment in Criticism?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Essays
Where can I read a sample of Experiment in Criticism?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780062313713
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Experiment in Criticism?
C. S. Lewis
Who is the Publisher of the book Experiment in Criticism?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Experiment in Criticism is available as ebook(ISBN 9780062313713)
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Where can I buy Experiment in Criticism?