Introduction Abrams’ Orientation of Critical Theories is a foundational text that has shaped how generations of students and scholars approach literature. At its core, Abrams’ framework offers a simple yet powerful way to understand the diverse landscape of literary theory by mapping it onto four fundamental elements: the universe (the world), the work (the text), the artist (the author), and the audience (the reader).​ This approach is more than just a clever diagram; it’s a conceptual toolkit that...