Lesson - 2 : d06112

Characteristics & Roles of a Literary Critic

    This lesson talks about the characteristics, the role and skills that need to be present in a literary critic. First of all the critic himself is a reader. The critic as a reader reads the work, enjoys it, develops a bond towards it and hence is able to attain the status of a critic. As the critic is familiar with many other literary works, he has a certain scale to judge different works.

    Being well - read, possessing the ability to bring out views, sharing one’s views and being able to present them in a manner that can be understood by others, are the skills that are usually present in a literary critic. He should also be well versed in other literary works and be fluent in them. The skill of an author lies in the way he depicts an incident in the form of writing. This ability to bring out such incidents is the most important ingredient of a good literary work.

    A person who has failed to become an author, usually ends up becoming a literary critic - this is the view of critics. The critic brings out the beauty that lies within the literary work, breaks its silence and gives meaning to it. The critic also does not stop with one literary work, as an author doesn’t stop with a single piece. Poet Bhaarathidaasan considers him to be a dragonfly and the Tamil language, a forest filled with flowers.

    Everyone cannot become a critic - there are certain skills needed to become a successful critic. A scientific approach towards the literary work is needed; he should possess an ability to look at the work from a scientific angle. The critic should be able to bring out the truth in the right manner whosever the work may belong to. He should also possess a broad view and be knowledgeable in his field. He should also be aware of the period in which the literary piece was composed.

    The critic should not take any sides when writing a piece of criticism and should be able to distinguish right from wrong and be able to deliver the verdict. He should act as a scale where both sides are equally balanced. He should also bring out the mistakes that exist in the particular piece for which the criticism is being written.

    The literary critic has more responsibilities than the author as well as the reader. T.S. Eliot was a great critic due to his approach and the way he interpreted the work without confusion and doubt. He also has a social responsibility by which his work reaches society.

    From this lesson we have learnt the skills and duties of a critic. He is expected to perform several duties in society. Everyone cannot become a critic - a certain skill is needed to become a critic. So one has learnt that an important responsibility, and characteristics a critic must possess is bringing out the truth in a true and faithful manner.