René Wellek and Austin Warren’s "Theory of Literature"

 

René Wellek and Austin Warren’s Theory of Literature is a seminal work in literary criticism that systematically addresses the nature, function, and study of literature. Written in the mid-twentieth century, it sought to bridge the gap between various schools of criticism, providing a comprehensive framework for the academic study of literature. The authors begin by defining literature not as a mere reflection of reality but as an autonomous form of art, possessing its own structures, conventions, and aesthetic values. They stress that literature should be studied as literature, emphasizing the importance of its formal, imaginative, and expressive qualities over purely historical or biographical interpretations. This approach distances itself from purely utilitarian or moralistic views of literature, situating the literary work in its own right as a creative act of language.

The book outlines the interdisciplinary nature of literary studies, acknowledging that literature is influenced by psychology, sociology, history, and philosophy, yet insisting that these disciplines should serve as auxiliary tools rather than dominate literary analysis. Wellek and Warren critique extreme historicism and biographism for reducing literature to the circumstances of its production, while also resisting purely impressionistic criticism that neglects scholarly rigor. They argue for an integrated approach that respects the specificity of literary art while also drawing from contextual studies to deepen understanding. In their view, the critic’s task is to balance close attention to the text with awareness of its cultural and intellectual background.

Central to their argument is the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic approaches to literature. The intrinsic approach focuses on the text itself—its structure, imagery, symbols, language, and form—while the extrinsic approach examines the author’s biography, historical setting, social influences, and intellectual currents. Wellek and Warren argue that a sound literary theory requires both, but with a primary emphasis on intrinsic analysis. They champion close reading and structural study, aligning with the principles later associated with New Criticism, while also allowing for historical scholarship when it illuminates the work’s meaning. For them, literary study is an act of interpretation grounded in textual analysis but enriched by informed contextual understanding.

They also address genre theory, tracing the historical evolution of epic, drama, and lyric, and arguing that genres are not rigid categories but dynamic conventions that evolve over time. By exploring how genres adapt to shifting cultural and artistic demands, they underscore literature’s fluidity and resistance to static classification. The authors advocate for a comparative approach to literature, encouraging critics to cross national and linguistic boundaries in order to grasp the universal and particular aspects of literary expression. This comparative perspective reflects Wellek’s own background as a scholar trained in multiple literary traditions and languages.

On the subject of literary history, Wellek and Warren challenge purely chronological or national frameworks, proposing instead a synthesis of historical and critical methods that examine movements, styles, and periods in relation to broader intellectual and cultural developments. They are cautious about overemphasizing causal explanations, preferring to see literary change as the result of complex interactions among artistic innovation, cultural shifts, and individual creativity. They also acknowledge the importance of the reader’s role, recognizing that literature is not static but acquires new meanings through successive acts of interpretation.