Letter
In theory
16 April 1981
SIR: In a fine piece of cut-and-thrust polemic, Professor Ricks has deftly exposed some of the humbug and extravagance of certain recent literary theorising (LRB, 16 April). It is unfortunate, though, that in the process he is led to disparage all theory about literature, and philosophy to boot.Of course ‘theory’ is a bogy word and an easy target, particularly when contrasted with ‘practice’;...