It's not written formally, but that doesn't mean it isn't critical writing. A formal essay would have examples and citations, yes. But that lack of them does not mean it isn't valid criticism.
You don't agree with the critic. So you say she's off base. That much is fair.
However, you can't say she's incorrect, because there is no single correct reading of any given text. I have never subscribed to New Criticism, and I don't necessarily think that the author is dead, and I do think that some readings are more valid than others--but saying someone's wrong doesn't make it true.
I was listening when you countered the critique. Don't oversell it.
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asenathwaite
Re: hoo boy, this opens up a can of worms....
Date: 2010-05-05 10:31 pm (UTC)It's not written formally, but that doesn't mean it isn't critical writing. A formal essay would have examples and citations, yes. But that lack of them does not mean it isn't valid criticism.
You don't agree with the critic. So you say she's off base. That much is fair.
However, you can't say she's incorrect, because there is no single correct reading of any given text. I have never subscribed to New Criticism, and I don't necessarily think that the author is dead, and I do think that some readings are more valid than others--but saying someone's wrong doesn't make it true.
I was listening when you countered the critique. Don't oversell it.