In Alexander Pope's, Essay On Criticism, he critiques the critic. He examines the nature of the critic and critically analyzes the reasoning behind the critic.
"Some praise at morning what they blame at night;
But always think the last opinion right.
A Muse by these is like a mistress us'd,
This hour she's idolized, the next abus'd;"
Here he points out the ups and downs of critics and their love/hate affair with authors and their work.
"Some valuing those of their own side or mind,
Still make themselves the measure of mankind;"
Here in Part 2, he discusses how those who are critics have their own biases already towards author's work and yet they still unfairly judge. I think this is true. No matter what is being critiqued, whether it's poetry, literature, art, or music. Everyone has their own values and opinions, and if they choose to let these values come into play they are being unfair.
As a journalist in training, I know for a fact that it is imperative for a journalist to remain impartial no matter how they feel about something, they same goes for critics.
Posted by Denishia Salter at February 28, 2005 01:43 PM