Critically elucidate I.A. Richards and his position as new critic.

Ivor Armstrong Richards (1893-1979) was a prominent literary critic and educator associated with the New Criticism movement, which emerged in the early to mid-20th century. Richards played a significant role in shaping the development of this critical approach, which focused on close textual analysis and rejected extraneous biographical, historical, and authorial context in favor of studying the literary work as an autonomous and self-contained entity. Let's critically elucidate I.A. Richards and his position as a New Critic:

Close Textual Analysis: 

Richards was a strong advocate for close textual analysis, emphasizing the importance of examining the language, structure, and formal elements of a literary work. He believed that the meaning of a text could be found within the text itself and that critics should focus their attention on the words on the page.

Intentional Fallacy: 

Richards, along with fellow New Critics like W.K. Wimsatt and Monroe Beardsley, critiqued the idea of the "intentional fallacy," which refers to the belief that understanding an author's intentions is essential to interpreting a work. Richards argued that readers should not rely on the author's intentions but should instead focus on the words and their effects on the reader.

Affective Fallacy: 

Richards also criticized the "affective fallacy," which suggests that a reader's emotional response to a work is a valid measure of its quality or meaning. He believed that such emotional responses were subjective and did not necessarily reveal the true meaning of a text.

Ambiguity and Tension: 

Richards was interested in the use of ambiguity and tension in literature. He argued that great poetry often contains elements of ambiguity that engage the reader's intellect and emotions, leading to a richer reading experience.

Practical Criticism: 

Richards is known for his work in "Practical Criticism," a method of teaching and analyzing literature without any information about the author or the historical context of the text. This approach aimed to evaluate the text solely on its literary merits and the reader's response to it.

Empirical Approach: 

Richards approached literary criticism with an empirical mindset, attempting to apply scientific and psychological principles to the study of literature. He believed that literary analysis could be systematic and rigorous.

Influence and Legacy: 

I.A. Richards had a profound influence on the New Criticism movement and helped establish its core principles. The New Critics' emphasis on close reading and formal analysis had a lasting impact on the study of literature in the mid-20th century.

Critiques and Limitations: 

While the New Criticism approach advocated by Richards has been influential, it has also faced criticism. Some scholars argue that it can be overly narrow in its focus, ignoring valuable insights that can be gained from considering historical and biographical context. Additionally, its formalist approach may not be well-suited to all types of literature or all critical inquiries.

In summary, I.A. Richards was a central figure in the New Criticism movement, which emphasized close textual analysis and rejected the reliance on authorial intent and emotional response in literary criticism. His work, particularly in "Practical Criticism," helped shape the way literature was studied and analyzed in the 20th century, but it is not without its critics and limitations.