The central activity of literary criticism, the understanding of literature, is related to the process of establishing a context for the works of literature being studied. Choosing not to discuss the factual elements of literary criticism, the author clarifies and concentrates on the "lower" and "upper" limits of criticism. While the "lower" limit essentially deals with a defense of freedom of speech and thought, the "upper" level is noted to be the ultimate function of criticism in that it leads to inner possession of literature as an imaginative force. The understanding of literature, equated with having literary experience, therefore, leads the author to discuss why literature cannot be taught. While criticism must begin with "visible" orientation toward its object, it arrives at its true goal when rendered "invisible" through self-realization of the literary experience. Some remarks on humanism, philology, "new criticism", personal taste as criticism, estheticism (critical dandyism), and evaluative criticism are also included. (RL)