A more significant critique is the book’s . Many students desire a more hands-on approach. One Amazon.com review notes that the book "has potential but it doesn’t give many examples or exercises to practice what was covered. It is not a textbook" in the modern, pedagogically rich sense. In a similar vein, a reviewer on Amazon.in gave the book a 3-star rating, finding it "Equally Good and bad at the same time," acknowledging its comprehensiveness but criticizing its poor structure and unwieldy style.
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A book's table of contents is often the best indicator of its scope and methodology. Prasad’s work is known for its logical, progressive structure. The book is divided into two major parts, which trace the historical development of criticism from its classical origins to the modern age. The following is a detailed breakdown of the chapters:
The book contrasts the rigid, rule-bound criticism of Dr. Johnson with the emotional liberation of the Romantic period. Prasad details Wordsworth’s definition of poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" and Coleridge’s deep philosophical distinction between Fancy and Imagination. Matthew Arnold
The emotional purgation of pity and fear experienced by an audience during a tragedy, leading to emotional balance. An Introduction To Literary Criticism By B Prasad
Detailed breakdown of the Preface to Lyrical Ballads , focusing on his definition of poetry as the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" and his advocacy for common language.
– Focuses on the foundational Greek and Roman thinkers who established the initial rules of literature.
Prasad transitions to Roman criticism by analyzing Horace’s Ars Poetica , which emphasized craftsmanship, decorum, and the dual purpose of poetry: to instruct and to delight ( dulce et utile ). He then covers Longinus’s treatise On the Sublime , exploring how great literature achieves grandeur and moves the reader's soul through elevated language and intense emotion. Part II: From the Renaissance to the Victorian Era
For over half a century, countless students of English literature in India and beyond have embarked on their journey into the world of literary criticism with B. Prasad's foundational text. This article provides a comprehensive introduction to the book, its esteemed author, and its enduring significance in the academic landscape. A more significant critique is the book’s
The final sections of the book introduce 20th-century developments, showcasing how criticism shifted from historical evaluation to textual analysis and psychological interpretation.
: It explores the roots of criticism in ancient Greece and Rome, detailing the theories of Plato (on the emotional appeal of poetry), Aristotle (on tragedy and catharsis), Horace , and Longinus .
The foundations of Practical Criticism and Close Reading. Core Themes and Pedagogical Value Simplifying the Complex
Prasad highlights the famous philosophical debate regarding imitation. Plato viewed art as a deceptive copy of a copy, twice removed from reality. Aristotle countered this in his Poetics , arguing that imitation is a natural human instinct that reveals universal truths and provides emotional catharsis. The Romantics vs. The Neoclassicists It is not a textbook" in the modern,
The book demonstrates how literature does not develop in a vacuum. Readers see exactly how the Romanticism of Wordsworth was a direct rebellion against the Neoclassicism of Pope and Johnson. Examination-Oriented Approach
This foundational section is where every student of criticism must begin their journey. Prasad wastes no time in establishing the origins of Western critical discourse.
The man behind the acclaimed textbook is the late , a distinguished academic who served as the Head of the Department of English at Agra College, Agra, one of India’s oldest higher education institutions. Known for his scholarly rigor and pedagogical clarity, Prasad authored several other important works for students of literature, including A Background to the Study of English Literature , A Short History of English Poetry , and A Background to the Study of English Literature , which further cemented his reputation as a leading educator in the field.