Professing Criticism: Essays on the Organization of Literary Study

The book explores the contradictions within literary study as a discipline and a profession, tracing its historical and modern organization, and its ambivalence towards the literary object and professionalization. It offers an explanation for the perennial churn in literary study, revolutionizing methods and objects, and the crisis of professional identification. It concludes with five key rationales for literary study, providing a credible account of the discipline's aims and reminding professors of their existing strengths.

Format: Hardback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The field of literary study, both as a discipline and a profession, has faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly as the humanities face a labor crisis and declining enrollments. John Guillory, a renowned scholar in the field, has delved into the complexities of literary study, examining its historical and contemporary organization, both before and after its professionalization. In his eagerly anticipated new book, Professing Criticism, Guillory explores the enduring traces of this volatile history, revealing how they have become permanent features of the university.

Despite its ambivalence towards the literary object and its anxious embrace of professionalism, literary study continues to grapple with the relationship between discipline and profession. This tension is evident in its oscillation between a critical stance and a commercial orientation, which undermines the discipline's commitment to scholarly inquiry.

In response to these challenges, Professing Criticism offers a timely and insightful exploration of the perennial churn in literary study, the constant revolutionizing of its methods and objects, and the ongoing crisis of professional identification. Through a series of essays, the book provides an incisive explanation for these phenomena, shedding light on the factors that contribute to their persistence.

One of the key themes explored in the book is the perpetual churn in literary study, which is driven by a range of factors, including changes in academic discourse, technological advancements, and shifts in cultural values. The book argues that this churn is not merely a matter of academic fashion but reflects deeper tensions within the discipline, such as the tension between traditional scholarship and commercial interests.

Another important aspect of the book is its examination of the constant revolutionizing of literary methods and objects. Guillory argues that the field has undergone a significant transformation over the past few decades, with the rise of new methodologies, such as digital humanities and postcolonial studies, and the increasing importance of interdisciplinary approaches. These changes have led to a reevaluation of the traditional canon and a broader recognition of the diversity of literary forms and genres.

However, the book also highlights the ongoing crisis of professional identification in literary study. The field has struggled to establish a clear and coherent identity, particularly in the face of the increasing commercialization of higher education. Professing Criticism offers a robust outline of five key rationales for literary study, which serve as a reminder to the professoriate of the discipline's aims and values.

These rationales include the pursuit of knowledge, the exploration of aesthetic values, the promotion of cultural understanding, the development of critical thinking skills, and the contribution to society. By grounding literary study in these rationales, the book provides a credible account of the discipline's aims and a framework for its future development.

In conclusion, Professing Criticism is a valuable contribution to the field of literary study, offering a timely and insightful exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing the discipline. Through its incisive analysis of the historical and contemporary organization of literary study, its exploration of the perennial churn in literary study, and its robust outline of five key rationales for literary study, the book provides a valuable resource for scholars, educators, and students alike. As the humanities in higher education continue to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, Professing Criticism offers a timely reminder of the discipline's enduring commitment to scholarly inquiry and its vital role in shaping our understanding of the world world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226821290