Have you ever read this old essay? Masocriticism by Paul Mann: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3685366?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.jstor.org/stable/3

Have you ever read this old essay? Masocriticism by Paul Mann: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3685366?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.jstor.org/stable/3685366?seq=1#page_scan_tab_con... Basically a meta-critique of the whole system you describe--saying the only reason one would engage in it at all is for sake of pure masochism. (It's meant to be both humorous and a serious critique of the seeming pointlessness that you described, but very deadpan.) One of my profs recommended that one to me, years ago, while I was also studying literature as an undergrad, and it's always stuck with me. Sidenote: Later, I made a career for myself writing software instead of essays. But I actually do think that my initial time spent studying literature was very beneficial--personally, professionally, intellectually, and so on. Which brings me back to the original point--what's "wrong" with literary studies? Probably that the main focus has been studying literature for its own sake, rather than viewing how it can make a positive difference (for the most part). So I do very much appreciate what Felski is doing here. Interesting work.