Return To Reading:C.S.Lewis's Idea On Literary Criticism

In the 20th century,literary criticism got rid of the vassal status of literary works,gained independence and developed continuously in the direction of scientization,theorization,professionalism,and produced many literary criticism methods,showing the trend of prosperity.However,the crises are also emerge.To pursue scientific thinking caused the disapperance of appreciation and aesthetics easily.Too many terminology made literary criticism indigestion.Literary criticism taken in other theories and methods not only do not promote understanding of texts,but also make literary works a tool for interpreting other theories.The relationship between theory and text has been reversed;the specialization of criticism has given critics an authoritative position.Ordinary readers no longer have the right to talk about works,and the worship of authority leads readers to read criticisms in stead of works.When discussing literary criticism,C.S.Lewis noticed reading.He believed that literary criticism originated from the enjoyment of reading,it should multiply,safeguard,prolong good reading.However,in the criticism,the prejudice against some types of literary,evaluation and period criticism have,to a certain degree,impaired reading.So critics should avoid these problems.They should also describe works and provide some information about them,and eliminate the gap between the readers and the text.Literary criticism should not divide the work into form and content.Instead,it should regard it as an artifact first,start with the words,pay attention to its Poiema,then open up the hearts and minds,read repeatedly to explore the Logos.