Basic concepts of poetics

Emil Staiger (1908–1987), a prominent Swiss literary scholar, presents a groundbreaking work in literary criticism that has not been accessible to English readers until now. His Poetics is notable for its radical approach, juxtaposing a new poetics against the traditional Aristotelian framework. Staiger critiques the longstanding genre theory, a cornerstone of Western literary criticism since the eighteenth century, and instead advocates for understanding literary genres through fundamental patterns of creativity. He draws examples from various European literary traditions, appealing to both scholars and comparatists of national literatures. By employing an inductive method, Staiger addresses those invested in literary values. Luanne Frank's introduction highlights how this work bridges the critical approaches of the 1940s and 1980s, as well as the perspectives of European and American scholars. She situates Staiger's contributions within the evolution of genre criticism from an American viewpoint, articulating its objectives and significance, and providing a much-needed critical response that resonates in both Europe and the United States.