The book is a history of Western literary criticism and a general introduction
to the subject of literary criticism and theory. It follows the survey approach,
discussing English literary critics in a historical-chronological order. It is
primarily designed to serve as a text/reference book for undergraduate and
postgraduate students in Indian universities and colleges. The book deals with
the critical texts that are prescribed for study in many M.A (English) courses
in India. One section of the book surveys the contribution made by the ancient
critics since knowledge of classical criticism is essential for an understanding
of later developments. Another section (sixteenth to twentieth century) takes
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