Often a certain theme or technique can be clarified by comparing it with its more extended use in other works by the same author. There is danger, of course, in trying to explain the work of A by comparing it with the work of B, for even if we assume that B is a source of A, any significant work alters and transcends its sources. Comparisons are best organized in terms of the basis of comparison rather than the subjects of comparison. Evaluation is concerned with appraising the merit of a literary work. Once the main concern of criticism, evaluation has been neglected by modern critics, who tend to feel that they ought to devote their attention to works that have already established themselves.
Evaluation depends on criteria , standards of judgment.
Many modern critics feel that these questions illustrate the intentional fallacy. Such critics feel that the only intention which can be studied is the realized intention within the work and that any intention not found in the work is irrelevant. Internal Standards . Comparison With Other Works Of The Same Class . A competent writer may succeed in producing a work that meets the above tests, yet falls short of greatness when it is compared with other works.