Mr. Tyson,

I hope it is acceptable to respond to "Critical Theory Today."

While accepting that literary criticism is sound and useful, i believe the practice engenders some important questions. The first of which is the nature of the work itself and it's relation to both the audience and the author. Literary theory seems to assume, and of course correct me if I'm wrong:

• The work in itself is independent of both the author and the audience.
  
• The audience's interpretation of the work determines weather context is applied
  
• The author uses the work as a communication tool only insomuch as is successful in engendering the desired interpretation in the reader

It would be a mistake to say that this hierarchal order dissolves the theory, however, i think it's important to ask to what extent are we marginalizing the communication aspect of literature. Of course the argument against is that literature is subjective, and an author (or artist) should have no ownership over the work.
Not trying to start arguments, necessarily, just the thoughts that came to me after reading the intro.

Adam Wilson