The Skeptic Disposition

Focusing on the critique of deconstructionist theories, Eugene Goodheart challenges the skepticism that has permeated literary criticism, particularly the ideas of Jacques Derrida and Paul de Man. He argues that this skepticism undermines fundamental humanistic values by prioritizing the complexities of language over literature's emotional and transformative power. Goodheart presents a nuanced critique of the nihilistic tendencies in contemporary literary analysis, advocating for a recognition of literature's broader impact beyond mere textual analysis.