Introduction: “The Function of Criticism” by Terry Eagleton
“The Function of Criticism” by Terry Eagleton, first appeared in 1983 in the New Literary History journal, has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of literary theory. His exploration of the role of criticism in society and its relationship to power has had a profound impact on scholars and students alike. The book’s second edition, reprinted by Verso in 1984, solidified its status as a foundational text in literary studies.
Summary of “The Function of Criticism” by Terry Eagleton
1. Criticism vs. Creation:
- Eagleton highlights the historical distinction between criticism and creative works. Creative activity is considered superior to criticism, as seen in Wordsworth’s view that time spent on criticism would be better devoted to original composition. However, Eagleton argues that criticism is essential for the development of a rich intellectual environment that can nurture creative genius.
- Reference: Wordsworth’s letters reflect his belief in the supremacy of creative works over criticism (p. 26).
2. The Role of Criticism in Society:
- Criticism’s purpose is to “see the object as in itself it really is,” offering a clear and truthful reflection on literature, theology, philosophy, art, and science. Criticism helps establish a coherent intellectual climate that provides the creative powers with the ideas and materials they need to thrive.
- Reference: Eagleton emphasizes the importance of establishing a “current of true and fresh ideas” (p. 28).
3. Critical Power as a Precursor to Creation:
- Great literary epochs are rare because they require not only the creative power of individuals but also the presence of an intellectual atmosphere rich in ideas. Criticism helps lay the groundwork for these ideas, preparing the elements necessary for creative genius to flourish.
- Reference: “The creative power has, for its happy exercise, appointed elements” that are often shaped by the critical power (p. 29).
4. Criticism and Historical Movements:
- Eagleton draws a comparison between the intellectual underpinnings of the French Revolution and earlier disinterested intellectual movements, such as the Renaissance. He argues that the practical, political focus of the Revolution limited its potential for generating significant creative works.
- Reference: The political nature of the French Revolution contrasted with the intellectual movements of the Renaissance (p. 32).
5. The Practical Application of Ideas:
- Criticism should maintain its independence from practical concerns, focusing instead on intellectual rigor and disinterested examination. Critics should avoid being swayed by political or practical interests, ensuring that their work contributes to intellectual and cultural growth.
- Reference: Eagleton emphasizes the need for criticism to be “disinterested” and free from practical ends (p. 36).
6. The Influence of Criticism on National Culture:
- In Eagleton’s view, English culture has historically undervalued intellectual curiosity and free play of the mind, prioritizing practical concerns over the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. Criticism can help counteract this tendency by encouraging a more open engagement with new ideas.
- Reference: “The practical man” in England resists intellectual exploration, preferring action over thought (p. 41).
7. Criticism’s Slow but Crucial Role:
- Though Eagleton acknowledges that the impact of criticism may seem slow and subtle, he insists that it is essential for the development of higher truths and the broadening of cultural perspectives. The critic must resist the allure of immediate practical outcomes in favor of long-term intellectual progress.
- Reference: Criticism’s proper work is “slow and obscure,” but it is necessary for cultivating adequate ideas (p. 40).
8. The Ideal of Disinterested Criticism:
- Eagleton argues that true criticism must be disinterested, focusing on the pursuit of knowledge and understanding rather than aligning with specific political or practical agendas. This ideal ensures that criticism contributes meaningfully to cultural and intellectual development.
- Reference: Criticism must “know the best that is known and thought in the world” without becoming entangled in practical considerations (p. 37).
9. Criticism’s Future:
- Eagleton envisions a future where criticism plays a central role in fostering creative activity by developing a rich intellectual atmosphere. While criticism itself may not offer the same fulfillment as creative work, it lays the foundation for future generations of artists and thinkers.
- Reference: Criticism prepares the groundwork for a “promised land” of creative activity, even if the critic does not directly participate in it (p. 49).
Literary Terms/Concepts in “The Function of Criticism” by Terry Eagleton
| Literary Term/Concept | Definition | Explanation in Eagleton’s Text |
| Criticism | The analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of literary works. | Eagleton argues that criticism involves seeing “the object as in itself it really is” and establishing a current of true ideas that influence creative work. He sees it as a crucial precursor to creation, forming the intellectual environment in which creative genius can flourish. |
| Creative Power | The ability to produce original literary or artistic work, considered the highest form of human intellectual activity. | Eagleton recognizes that the creative power is superior to criticism but asserts that criticism is necessary for the creative power to have the intellectual materials (ideas) it needs to work with effectively. |
| Disinterestedness | A critical approach that is free from political, practical, or personal bias. | Eagleton insists that criticism should remain disinterested, meaning that it should not serve practical or political interests. Instead, it should focus purely on the intellectual task of understanding and spreading the best knowledge and ideas. |
| Intellectual Atmosphere | The environment of ideas and knowledge within which creative works are produced. | According to Eagleton, great creative epochs arise when there is a rich intellectual atmosphere. Criticism helps build this atmosphere by developing and circulating ideas that can inspire and nourish creativity. |
| Epoch of Creation | A period in history marked by significant and original creative activity. | Eagleton argues that epochs of creative power are rare and often rely on the intellectual work done in preceding times of criticism. He refers to past creative periods like those of Aeschylus and Shakespeare as examples of times when criticism had already prepared the necessary intellectual climate. |
| Synthesis | The combination of ideas to form a cohesive and comprehensive whole. | Eagleton describes the role of creative genius as one of synthesis, meaning that it works by combining existing ideas in new and effective ways, rather than by discovering new ideas (which is more the work of philosophers). |
| Intellectual Progress | The advancement of knowledge, understanding, and the quality of ideas within a culture or society. | Eagleton sees criticism as central to intellectual progress, helping society move beyond narrow or outdated ideas by critically engaging with the best ideas available, regardless of their practical or political consequences. |
| The Practical Spirit | A mindset focused on the utility and application of ideas in everyday, political, or economic life. | Eagleton criticizes the “practical spirit” of English society, which prioritizes practical outcomes over intellectual exploration. He argues that criticism must avoid becoming entangled with this spirit in order to truly contribute to intellectual and cultural progress. |
| Free Play of the Mind | The unrestrained exploration of ideas for their own sake, without concern for practical applications. | Eagleton champions the “free play of the mind” as essential to criticism. He argues that criticism should value ideas in themselves, seeking to understand them without regard to whether they serve practical, political, or economic interests. |
| Creative Epochs | Periods in history when literature and art flourish, producing great works. | Eagleton asserts that such epochs require a rich intellectual environment prepared by criticism. He contrasts epochs of creation with epochs of intellectual stagnation, where criticism has failed to establish the necessary intellectual atmosphere for creativity. |
| Intellectual and Spiritual Expansion | A period where thought and culture grow dynamically, embracing new ideas and perspectives. | Eagleton contrasts this with periods of concentration, where society turns inward and intellectual stagnation occurs. He suggests that criticism should aim to foster intellectual and spiritual expansion by engaging with ideas disinterestedly and promoting fresh, true ideas. |
| Philistinism | A derogatory term for the rejection or undervaluing of culture, intellectual pursuits, and the arts. | Eagleton uses “Philistinism” to describe the tendency in English society to prioritize practical concerns over intellectual and cultural activities, a mindset that he argues criticism should actively work to counter. |
Contribution of “The Function of Criticism” by Terry Eagleton to Literary Theory/Theories
| Literary Theory/Theory | Eagleton’s Contribution | Reference from “The Function of Criticism” |
| New Historicism | Eagleton’s emphasis on the intellectual and historical context shaping literary creation aligns with New Historicism, which views literature as a product of its historical circumstances. He highlights how literature cannot exist in a vacuum and requires a rich intellectual atmosphere shaped by criticism. | Eagleton discusses how great literary epochs depend on the “power of the moment” and the intellectual conditions surrounding them (p. 29). |
| Marxist Literary Theory | Eagleton contributes to Marxist theory by discussing the material and intellectual conditions necessary for great creative works to emerge. He argues that criticism plays a role in establishing an intellectual climate, which in turn allows for the flourishing of literature, suggesting a dialectical relationship between society and art. | “The critical power… tends to establish an order of ideas” and enables the creation of literature by ensuring the best ideas of the time are available (p. 28). |
| Cultural Materialism | Eagleton’s insistence on the importance of cultural and intellectual forces in shaping literary production resonates with Cultural Materialism. He critiques English society’s fixation on practical concerns, arguing that criticism must remain disinterested and independent from political or economic interests. | Eagleton critiques the “practical spirit” of English society and emphasizes the importance of criticism being independent of practical concerns (p. 36). |
| Poststructuralism | Eagleton critiques the hierarchical relationship between creative and critical power, which challenges traditional notions of authority in literature. He argues that criticism is not subordinate to creation but essential to enabling the conditions for creation, which resonates with poststructuralist decentering of authority. | Eagleton challenges the idea that “the critical power is of lower rank than the creative” and argues for the value of criticism in enabling creation (p. 27). |
| Reader-Response Theory | Although Eagleton does not directly engage with Reader-Response Theory, his emphasis on criticism shaping intellectual climates implies that critics influence how texts are understood. By establishing currents of true ideas, criticism affects how readers and future critics interpret and engage with literary works. | Eagleton discusses how criticism helps create “a current of true and fresh ideas,” which impacts the way literary works are received and understood by readers and critics (p. 37). |
| Romanticism vs. Enlightenment Debate | Eagleton contrasts Romanticism’s focus on creativity with Enlightenment ideals of reason and critical inquiry. He criticizes Romantic thinkers like Wordsworth for undervaluing criticism, suggesting that Enlightenment-style critical effort is essential for sustained creativity, thus engaging with the Romanticism-Enlightenment debate. | Wordsworth’s view of criticism as inferior to creative activity is critiqued, as Eagleton argues that the critical effort is necessary to produce substantial and long-lasting creative work (p. 27). |
| Humanism | Eagleton contributes to the humanist tradition by emphasizing the role of criticism in fostering intellectual growth and human perfection. He suggests that criticism helps individuals and societies to move beyond self-satisfaction and toward a more profound understanding of ideas and culture, a key tenet of humanist thought. | Eagleton states that criticism should “lead man towards perfection” by engaging with the best ideas and fostering an intellectual climate that values excellence (p. 37). |
Examples of Critiques Through “The Function of Criticism” by Terry Eagleton
| Literary Work | Example of Critique Using Eagleton’s “The Function of Criticism” |
| William Wordsworth’s “The Prelude” | Critique would focus on how Wordsworth’s poetry could have benefited from a richer intellectual atmosphere. Eagleton suggests that Wordsworth, despite his creative genius, lacked a broader engagement with literature, especially German thinkers like Goethe, which limited the philosophical depth and variety of his poetic thought. |
| Lord Byron’s “Don Juan” | Eagleton would critique Byron’s work for its lack of critical foundation, arguing that while Byron possessed strong creative power, his poetry lacks the intellectual rigor and knowledge of life and the world that would sustain it. The absence of a strong critical environment left Byron’s work comparatively “empty of matter.” |
| Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s “Faust” | Eagleton praises Goethe as an example of how strong critical engagement enriches creative output. Goethe’s work, particularly “Faust,” would be seen as nourished by his intellectual engagement with life, literature, and criticism. Goethe’s wide-ranging learning and synthesis of ideas serve as a model for how criticism fosters enduring creativity. |
| Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Prometheus Unbound” | Shelley’s poetry, like Byron’s, would be critiqued for its incoherence, which Eagleton might attribute to a lack of sufficient critical foundation. Although rich in passion and energy, Shelley’s work suffers from an intellectual environment that failed to fully engage with the complexities of modern thought, making his poetry less coherent and less enduring. |
Criticism Against “The Function of Criticism” by Terry Eagleton
- Overemphasis on Ideas: Critics argue that Eagleton’s focus on ideas and intellectual atmosphere is excessive, neglecting the importance of other factors such as social, cultural, and historical contexts in shaping literary production.
- Underestimation of Creative Intuition: Some contend that Eagleton downplays the role of intuition and creative genius in literary creation. They argue that great works of art often emerge from subconscious impulses rather than conscious intellectual effort.
- Historical Specificity: Critics have questioned the generalizability of Eagleton’s claims. They argue that his observations about the relationship between criticism and creativity may not hold true in all historical and cultural contexts.
- Limited Definition of Criticism: Eagleton’s definition of criticism as “the free play of the mind on all subjects” has been criticized as overly narrow. Some argue that criticism can also involve other forms of engagement, such as interpretation, evaluation, and social commentary.
- Neglect of Power Dynamics: Critics have suggested that Eagleton’s focus on ideas and intellectual atmosphere overlooks the power dynamics that shape literary production and reception. They argue that factors such as class, race, and gender can significantly influence the production and consumption of literature.
- Overemphasis on Western Canon: Some critics have accused Eagleton of privileging Western literature and Western intellectual traditions. They argue that his analysis does not adequately account for the diverse literary traditions and critical practices found around the world.
Representative Quotations from “The Function of Criticism” by Terry Eagleton with Explanation
| Quotation | Explanation |
| “The critical power is of lower rank than the creative. True; but…men may have the sense of exercising this free creative activity in other ways than in producing great works of literature or art.” | Eagleton acknowledges that creative work is often valued more than criticism but argues that critical activity also involves creativity, as it engages with intellectual ideas and helps shape the conditions for future creativity. |
| “Criticism must maintain its independence of the practical spirit and its aims.” | Eagleton stresses that criticism should remain detached from political, practical, and material interests. This disinterestedness allows criticism to focus purely on intellectual growth and avoid being manipulated by external pressures or interests. |
| “Its business is to do this with inflexible honesty, with due ability; but its business is to do no more.” | Criticism’s primary role is to disseminate and understand the best knowledge and ideas available. Eagleton suggests that it must stay within its own domain and not become involved in broader political or practical applications. |
| “It is the business of the critical power…to see the object as in itself it really is.” | This statement reflects Eagleton’s belief that criticism should strive to understand works of literature and art in their purest form, without distorting them to fit preconceived notions, ideologies, or practical agendas. |
| “The exercise of creative power in the production of great works of literature…is not at all epochs and under all conditions possible.” | Eagleton argues that not all historical moments are ripe for great creative works. The conditions necessary for such works—such as the intellectual atmosphere and critical foundation—must be in place, and these are shaped by criticism. |
| “Criticism first; a time of true creative activity, perhaps…when criticism has done its work.” | Eagleton asserts that criticism often precedes periods of creative flourishing. The critical analysis and circulation of ideas help to build the intellectual climate that fosters the production of great literary works. |
| “The grand work of literary genius is a work of synthesis and exposition, not of analysis and discovery.” | Here, Eagleton defines the role of literary creation as combining and presenting ideas rather than discovering new ideas, which he views as more of a philosophical endeavor. Critics help by making those ideas available for synthesis by creative geniuses. |
| “A free play of the mind upon all subjects, being an essential provider of elements, without which a nation’s spirit must, in the long run, die of inanition.” | Eagleton emphasizes that the intellectual freedom to explore ideas is crucial for the health of a society’s culture and spirit. Without such freedom, both the creative and critical faculties will stagnate. |
| “Men may have the sense of exercising free creative activity in criticising.” | Eagleton reframes the role of criticism by suggesting that, although it is often seen as secondary to creation, it too is a form of creative engagement. Critics can exercise their intellectual faculties in meaningful and innovative ways. |
| “Disinterestedness…means simply keeping aloof from what is called ‘the practical view of things.'” | Eagleton stresses the need for criticism to be objective and detached, focused solely on the intellectual and artistic value of works rather than their practical applications or immediate societal benefits. This helps criticism remain pure in its purpose. |
Suggested Readings: “The Function of Criticism” by Terry Eagleton
- Arnold, Matthew. The Function of Criticism at the Present Time. Cambridge University Press, 2005. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511802072.006.
- Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. University of Minnesota Press, 1996.
https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/literary-theory - Habermas, Jürgen. The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An Inquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society. MIT Press, 1989.
https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262581080/the-structural-transformation-of-the-public-sphere/ - Belsey, Catherine. Critical Practice. Methuen, 1980.
https://www.routledge.com/Critical-Practice/Belsey/p/book/9780415329266 - Williams, Raymond. Culture and Society, 1780-1950. Columbia University Press, 1983.
https://cup.columbia.edu/book/culture-and-society/9780231057011 - Said, Edward W. The World, the Text, and the Critic. Harvard University Press, 1983.
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674961876 - Jameson, Fredric. The Political Unconscious: Narrative as a Socially Symbolic Act. Cornell University Press, 1981.
https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801492228/the-political-unconscious/