Principles of literary criticism

Principles of Literary Criticism by I. A. Richards is a groundbreaking study that transformed twentieth‑century literary theory by linking the close reading of texts to psychology, semantics, and the reader’s emotional response. First published in 1924 and still a touchstone for students and scholars, this influential work explains how meaning is generated, how ambiguity enriches poetry, and why literature matters as a powerful instrument for ordering human experience. Richards introduces key concepts—such as “synesthetic rhythm,” “stock response,” and the “communication triangle”—that continue to shape modern criticism, making this volume essential for anyone who wants to understand how language, thought, and feeling interact on the page.