Was Sainte-Beuve criticized for his biographical method?
Indeed, my method has drawn its share of criticism. Some have accused me of overemphasizing the personal, suggesting that the intrinsic qualities of the text itself should be paramount, independent of the author's life. They argue that focusing too heavily on biographical details can distract from the aesthetic merit of the work. While I acknowledge the importance of the text, I maintain that the author's lived experience provides an essential context, a vital dimension that cannot be fully bypassed if one wishes to achieve a comprehensive understanding.
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