Analysis of Four Function of Criticism by T.S Eliot - Studyfy

 This essay is written in 1923 in response to Medllton Murray essay "Romanticism and Tradition" ( charge against Eliot ).

In this essay of Murray criticizes the T.S Elliot views of Tradition and Individual Talent .Then the other essay function of criticism was written by Eliot in response to Murray criticize his views . 

 Eliot essay function of criticism is divided into four section;

Part 1 ; Eliot views about critic and critical work of art ;

Eliot says that generally criticism is believed to be autolectic (having its own good/ purpose) . Eliot disproves it because criticism is always about something. The creative work is necessary because criticism judges it.

He defines Criticism is;

• It is commenting or analyzing a creative work in written words .
• Eliot also opposes Mathew Arnold and Murrays who believe that art is used for teaching morality and culture.
• From Eliot comments that art is the subject who gave pleasure to the audience to aware of its other purpose.

According to Eliot criticism is;

A) It explains the literary work and correcting of taste( a literary work must be enjoy).

B) It is impersonal process (it is objective free from prejudice ). 

C) Grounded on facts (a statement or argument is based on accurate and reliable ).

D) Facts is only to be related to the work of art and not the author.

E) Critic presents the facts to the reader that reader himself may judge the asses and give opinion about the work of art.

F) Facts means the knowledge about the work of art i.e theme, structure, origin etc.

G) Critic must have knowledge of the past writer that he may compare past and present.

H) Critic is also a human and human has different opinion and ideas about work of art. So critic should have one single purpose which is to enlighten the reader through the text.

I) Critic should not be the blind follower rather have difference with other critics to be better than them.

Part 2; Murrays views on Romanticism and ClFassicism and Eliot contradiction ;

A) Murray believes romanticism and classicism cannot go side by side both different than each other.

B) Murray explains that classicism is the feature of French while romanticism is the feature of England , Murray follows Romanticism.

C) Eliot opposes Murray and give more importance to classicism than romanticism.

D) Murray favors inner voice. No restriction to rules , rules are made to be broken. 

E) Eliot criticizes inner voice (the stream of feeling and thoughts that run in the person mind). 

F) Eliot consider classicism as complete , mature and Romanticism as incomplete and immature .

G) So Eliot favors classicism to Romanticism .

Part 3; Eliot criticism to Murray ;

• According to Eliot the purpose of criticism to reach for common rules |principles for the perfection of the art .

• Perfection of Art is too be obtained when tradition is followed.

• Eliot calls inner voice as whiggery labored means who loves inner voice .

Part 4; Eliot explains the relation between criticism and creative work ;

• Eliot opposes Mathew Arnold who consider criticism is superior to creativity |creative work of art.

• Eliot believes criticism is necessary for creativity because criticism judges merits and demerits of a work to attain perfection.

• Criticism | creativity go hand by hand .when there is creativity then there will be a criticism .

• Best form of criticism is that done by the author himself of his work but for it honesty is necessary .

• Eliot believes some writers are superior to others because they are strong sense of critical faculty.