A Critique of Critics

In recent months a number of articles in the Soviet press have appealed for a change in the tone and function of literary and cultural criticism. Two examples of such appeals are printed below. The first is a brief statement by outstanding members of the Soviet musical, theater and film worlds and by its leading physicist ("For Effect," Izvestia, September 7, 1960). The second article is directed to literary critics (Searchingly But Without Prejudice," Izvestia, September 19—abridged).