The Critical Pulse

Download or read book The Critical Pulse written by Jeffrey Williams and published by Columbia University Press. This book was released on 2012 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This unprecedented anthology asks thirty-six leading literary and cultural critics to elaborate on their profession, reasserting its widespread relevance and purpose. These credos boldly defend the function of criticism in contemporary society and showcase its vitality in the era after theory. Essays address literature and politics, with some focusing on the sorry state of higher education and others concentrating on teaching and the fate of the humanities. All reflect the critics' personal, particular, and deeply engaging experiences. Their stories move, amuse, and inspire the reader to develop his or her own critical credo for approaching the world. Reflecting on the past, looking forward to the future, and committed to the power of productive critical thought, this volume proves the value of criticism for today's skeptical audiences.