Final answer:
The purpose of literary criticism encompasses introducing the author and the work, igniting interest in neglected works, and showing the relationship between different ages and cultures. It involves deep textual analysis, interpretations, and discussions of a work's broader cultural significance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of literary criticism is multi-faceted. It involves introducing the author and the work, igniting interest in a possibly neglected work, and showing the relationship between different ages and cultures. Literary criticism is not simply about providing a judgment about the quality of the work but is concerned with richer analyses and interpretations based on observable aspects of the work. It engages with texts to expand our imagination, sense of possibility, and empathy, sharpening critical faculties and deepening understanding of literature's impact on our lives.
Literary criticism often involves a close reading of the text to interpret and critique it from various literary theories' perspectives, and also to engage in the broader conversations of other critics' interpretations. This genre of writing allows readers to gain a deeper appreciation for different literary genres and theories of interpretation, and these critics play an essential role in guiding audiences on how to view and understand a work within a larger cultural context.
In essence, literary criticism aims to explore and question what a literary work says about the human condition, how it conveys its message, whether it portrays its subjects fairly, and what political or social ideas it advances. Thus, the true purpose of literary criticism encompasses all the options mentioned: A) Introducing the author/work, B) Igniting interest on a neglected work, and C) Showing the relationship between ages and cultures. Therefore, the accurate answer to the student's question would be D) All of the above.