[1-2-Read] Who's Afraid of "Criticism"?

This is another repost of the 1-2-Read newsletter for paid subscribers, where we tackle 1 big idea and give you 2 journaling prompts to strengthen your literacy skills. Your support is the reason why I’m able to offer any value on this platform, and thank you so much for being here.

(1) The Idea: Demystifying Literary Criticism

Literary Criticism is one of the most challenging things to define, and there are two reasons for this.

One. No one likes critics. Whenever we think of “criticism” or a “critique of …” we inevitably recall a pedantic crackpot crouching in the sewers of the Commonwealth of letters, only veering his head whenever he’s itching to yell at someone.

Two. It’s bloody confusing. Some say it’s a science, while others say it’s an opinion. Some consider it an expert endeavour, while others consider it a ridiculous uproar. The truth is, literary criticism = that dirty fridge no scholar wants to clear out, and it is where consensus rots after a limited expiry date.

So, for part 3 of this series, let’s look inside that fridge and address the elephant in the room: criticism. What is it? What does it do, and why is it something everyone has heard of, but no one understands?

A Grand Misunderstanding