Linguist, critic, poet, psychologist, I.A. Richards (1893-1979) was one of the great polymaths of the twentieth century. He is best known, however, as one of the founders of modern literary critical theory.

One: Introductory; Two: Documentation; Poem 1; Poem 2; Poem 3; Poem 4; Poem 5; Poem 6; Poem 7; Poem 8; Poem 9; Poem 10; Poem 11; Poem 12; Poem 13; Three: Analysis; 1: The Four Kinds of Meaning; 2: Figurative Language; 3: Sense and Feeling; 4: Poetic Form; 5: Irrelevant Associations and Stock Responses; 6: Sentimentality and Inhibition; 7: Doctrine in Poetry; 8: Technical Presuppositions and Critical Preconceptions; Four: Summary and Recommendations; Summary