I.A. Richards was a pioneering British literary critic whose work in the early 20th century fundamentally reshaped the field of literary criticism. His approach, often called Practical Criticism, introduced a scientific and systematic method to the analysis of literature, emphasizing close reading and the psychological effects of texts on readers.
1. Focus on the Text Itself
Richards argued that the essence of a literary work lies within the text, not in external factors such as the author's biography, historical context, or social background. He believed that true literary appreciation comes from engaging directly with the language, imagery, structure, and tone of the work516.
This idea laid the groundwork for the New Criticism movement, which treated the text as an autonomous entity65.
2. Empirical and Psychological Approach
Richards incorporated psychological insights into criticism, treating aesthetic experience as an ordinary psychological phenomenon that could be empirically studied72.
He conducted experiments where students were given poems stripped of any identifying information and asked to interpret them. The aim was to analyze how readers responded to the words on the page without preconceived notions138.
3. Close Reading
Richards championed close reading, a detailed and rigorous examination of a text’s linguistic and structural features. This method allows readers to uncover the subtleties of meaning, form, and emotional resonance within the work54.
4. Reader Response and Subjectivity
While Richards valued the reader’s subjective engagement with a text, he also stressed the importance of developing critical detachment. He identified common interpretive errors, such as reliance on stock responses, personal associations, and critical preconceptions, which often led to misreadings15.
His work foreshadowed later Reader-Response Criticism by highlighting the dynamic interaction between text and reader, but insisted on training readers to recognize and overcome their biases5.
5. Emotional and Intellectual Balance
Richards believed that reading poetry should stimulate a balance of opposed impulses in the mind of the reader, leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the work1.
He advocated for systematic training in literary appreciation, arguing that critical skills can be cultivated through education and practice5.
Richards’ Practical Criticism revolutionized literary studies by introducing a methodical, text-centered approach that prioritized the direct experience of literature over historical or biographical context456.
His methods influenced the development of New Criticism, Structuralism, and Reader-Response Theory, and continue to inform literary pedagogy and analysis today567.
Richards’ critical approach is characterized by:
A rigorous focus on the text itself.
The use of empirical methods and psychological principles to analyze reader responses.
The practice of close reading to uncover meaning and emotional impact.
An emphasis on training readers to engage both subjectively and objectively with literature.
His work marked a paradigm shift in literary criticism, making it more scientific, systematic, and centered on the interaction between text and reader756.