The literary community in the context of society

Abstract

While the writer is the central figure in the literary community and fully contained by it through the endogamy with the Muse, the literary critic is more of a hybrid with one foot in each camp. The writer’s intimacy must be fully devoted to the artistic, whereas the critic is allowed both social marriage and the pursuit of literature. The degree of his literary competence distinguishes him from the public at large and defines his membership of the circle of initiates who share the values of aesthetic quality with the writer. His borderline position qualifies him for the task of mediator between the two communities, in his role as reviewer, editor or journalist.