Kirjanduskriitika

Kirjanduskriitika is the analysis and evaluation of literary works. It involves examining a text's themes, characters, style, and structure to understand its meaning and assess its artistic merit. Critics often situate a work within its historical, cultural, and literary context, drawing on various theoretical frameworks to interpret its significance.

The practice of kirjanduskriitika can be broadly categorized into several approaches. Formalist criticism focuses on the internal elements of a text, such as language, imagery, and plot, independent of external factors. Biographical criticism relates a work to the author's life and experiences. Historical criticism examines a text in light of its original historical context and the author's intentions. Reader-response criticism emphasizes the role of the reader in creating meaning from a text.

Kirjanduskriitika plays a vital role in literary discourse. It helps readers engage more deeply with texts, fosters critical thinking, and contributes to the ongoing conversation about literature's value and purpose. Critical essays, reviews, and academic articles are common forms in which kirjanduskriitika is expressed. These analyses can influence public perception of literary works and contribute to their canonization or subsequent re-evaluation.