Literary criticism Quote by C.S. Lewis
““Only an obstinate prejudice about this period (which I will presently try to account for) could blind us to a certain change which comes over the merely literary texts as we pass from the Middle Ages to the sixteenth century.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Personal Heresy, C.S. Lewis, 1953
Literary shifts reveal deeper cultural changes, not just stylistic evolution.
In simple terms: Literature reflects broader societal change.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond style to cultural context.
Themes
history
literature
culture
change
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
critical
interpretive
When to use this quote
- studying medieval to Renaissance literature
- teaching literature
- researching cultural trends
Key Concepts
Historical criticism
cultural analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do literary forms signal societal shifts?
- What non‑literary signs accompany such changes?
A Different Perspective
May overemphasize literary texts at expense of other evidence.
![“I tossed up whether I'd see [the critic] or not: I knew too well the pompous phrases of his article, the buried significance he would discover of which I was unaware and the faults I was tired of facing.” quote by Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc1/graham-greene-441_literary-criticism_i-tossed-up-whether-i-d-see-the-critic-o_72760.jpg)
