The 20th Century English Literary Criticism Paradigm Revolution

According to the paradigm revolution theory of Thomas S. Kuhn in his The Structure of Scientific Revolution, this thesis attempts to pursue the paradigm revolution phenomena of 20th century English literary criticism. Three paradigm revolutions have been taken place in this realm. T.S.Eliot and Leavis were the heroes of the first paradigm revolution, their religious or moral formalism displayed a decisive attitude to break with the normal critical modes such as impressive criticism or the life criticism of Mattew Arnord. Brooks and Frye were the heroes of the second paradigm revolution, they aimed at a pure formalism in order to deconstruct the religious or moral anxiety of the first paradigm revolution. Said and Eagleton were the heroes of the third paradigm revolution. Stressing the politicd function or ideologicd function, they counteracted strongly the pure formdism of the second paradigm revolution.