In the Essay on Criticism Pope states the principles of judgement which an ideal critic must follow in evaluating a literary work. In the first place, he says that a literary work must be judged and evaluated as a whole, not in parts. No single part should be separated from the whole. Beauty depends on the context and totality of impression. Separated from the whole, a part may even appear 'monstrous and misshaped'. It is the same in literature as in human beauty:
"This not the lip, or eye, we beauty call,
But the joint force and full result of all."
Further, judgement should not be conditioned by one's prejudices or biases against or in favour of any author or his work. He can best describe the beauties of literary work who can best feel them. The reader or the critic must pay due regard to the feeling behind the work. We must consider the aim or the intention of the author.
Wit and judgement go united. With always has within it an elementary power of judgement. This power has to be developed. This is possible through a deep study of the rules which express the practice of the great poets of antiquity. This study strengthens and refines one's faculty of taste and judgement.
Balanced judgement can be passed only by a critic who is just and fearless. However, true judgement must be expressed not bluntly and directly, but persuasively.
