The Theory of Criticism

Exploring the concept of "presence," the work delves into the complexities of poetic interpretation within Western poetics. Krieger addresses the tension between the literary object and its cultural context, advocating for a dual awareness of poetry as both an intentional object and a reflection of broader historical narratives. The book is structured in three parts: defining the critic's role, tracing the evolution of poetic form from classical to modern thought, and examining the interplay of metaphor and reality. Ultimately, it calls for a multifaceted approach to reading poetry.