The Nature and Function of Literary Theories

Abstract

Once upon a time the study of literature was a subject without the explicit and purposive formation of theories. To be sure, it has probably never been without any theory formation altogether; it has never been a purely historical or critical enterprise. There have always been general views as to the nature and function of literature, and conceptual schemes regarding the way literary works had to be described and classified or even evaluated. But certainly after the decline of normative classicism attention to these matters moved to