The Deconstructive Angel by MH Abrams

Abstract

MH Abrams was an American literary critic who revolutionized the study of the Romantic period in English
literature through groundbreaking analysis. He belongs to the tradition of literary criticism which sees a work of
literature in the light of its birth. His publication includes A Glossary of Literary Terms, The Deconstructive Angel
and Natural Supernaturalism, this later book led indirectly to the writing of the essay The Deconstructive Angel and
Natural Supernaturalism. The Deconstructive Angel (Essay) was originally presented at a session of the Modern
Language Association in 1976. Wayne C. Booth and J. Hills Miller had participated in the debate on the theoretical
and methodological implications of Natural Supernaturalism. This essay is both a lucid exposition of the
deconstruction from the stand point of traditional humanist scholarship. Abrams central argument is that the
deconstructionist relies on the communicative power of language which they theoretically deny. There in the essay a
clash between two big theoretical traditions humanist and linguistic is shown.