Literary criticism

Literary criticism is when people read and analyze books to try to understand what they mean and how they work. It's like when you try to figure out what a story is about or why the characters act the way they do.

Think of it like building a tower. When you read a book, you're gathering all the building blocks - the characters, plot, setting, themes, and ideas. Literary critics are like builders who use those blocks to construct something bigger: a deeper understanding of the book. They might look at how the author uses symbols to convey an idea, or analyze how the story is structured to create tension or suspense.

When they're done, it's like they've built a tower that explains the book's hidden meanings and themes. This can help us appreciate, enjoy, and understand books better. Think of it like how you might appreciate a tower at a playground - it's fun to climb on and play, but sometimes it's even more fun to learn how it was built and how it works.