criticism, n.Definitions

Criticism is a structure of knowledge about literature.

Criticism is a sort of prolongation and deepening of poetic thought.

Criticism is a disinterested endeavor to learn and propagate the best that is known and thought in the world.

Criticism is a pleasure which takes away from us the pleasure of being moved by some very fine things.

Criticism is a disinterested endeavor to establish a current of fresh and true ideas for literature to draw inspiration from. (disinterestness does not mean neutral as in uninvolved judges, rather it signifies a kind of disencumbered free-play.).

Criticism is a standard of judging well, the chiefest part of which is to observe those excellencies which delight a reasonable reader.

Criticism is a phoenix preoccupied with constructing its own funeral pyre, without any guarantee that a bigger and better phoenix will manifest itself as a result.

Criticism is a spirit of practical communism whereby those who cannot write read the works of those who can and write an additional book about them.