Altogether, Frye's work represents one of the most impressive achievements in the recent history of criticism…. Although many have disagreed with him, especially with his attempt to formulate a comprehensive and systematic theory of criticism independent from value judgments, few within his own field have ignored him. (p. 51)

[Frye's] work "is still there" after all the objections have been raised. The farther back from the whole of his work we stand the less important these objections tend to become. This means that the value of Frye's work depends finally on distancing ourselves from the local complaint and the particular debatable issue. It is from this perspective—one having to do with Frye's conception of criticism as a whole—that a provisional assessment can be made. First, Frye's work is of practical value, a system of terms and doctrines and a method which can be used to answer one...