Note: Here are entered works on the principles of criticism in general and of literary criticism in particular.
Criticism in a specific field is entered under the appropriate heading, e.g. Art criticism; English literature--History and criticism; English poetry--History and criticism;Literature--History and criticism; Music--History and criticism.
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subdivision History and criticism under literary, music, film, television program, and video recording form headings, e.g. English literature--History and criticism; Chamber music--History and criticism; Erotic films--History and criticism; also subdivision Criticism and interpretationunder names of persons active in the fine arts, literature, music, and performing arts; and subdivision Criticism, interpretation, etc. under names of sacred books or their parts, e.g. Bible--Criticism, interpretation, etc.
See the examples below.
Library of Congress Subject Heading Terminology and Usage
The subject term “English” means “British.” So, "English literature" means the literature of England (Britain), not literature written in English. Compare this to "American Literature," "Irish literature," "Scottish Literature," "French literature," etc. Follow this pattern for other specifc literary genres, i.e., fiction, poetry, short stories.
Short stories, Mexican American (Spanish) . Here, the qualifier is ethnic-national and the parenthetical qualifier indicates the language of the short story is in Spanish.
The subdivision“History and criticism” means that the book offers literary criticism, history, and analysis on that topic. When you are browsing subject headings, look for your lead term subdivided by "History and criticism" for the broadest selection of criticism on your topic.
The subdivision "Criticism and interpretation" means that the book offers criticism and analysis of an author's works or endeavors, without a primary focus on biographical details.
Critical analysis can also be offered under the author's name as subject without any subdivisions, but usually the unsubdivided author heading contains works more biographical or general in nature. Compare the results of the --Criticism and interpreation heading above to the following:
If the work is primarily a biography, an additional heading will tell you so. The subject will be the class of persons to which the author belongs, subdivided by --Biography. For example, Emily Dickinson's most specific class is "Poets, American--19th Century":
