Walter Benn Michaels

Walter Benn Michaels is a literary critic and scholar known for examining how culture, identity, and social issues intersect with literature and art. He challenges the idea that race, class, or gender should be central to understanding cultural works, arguing instead that focusing on aesthetic qualities offers a clearer perspective. Michaels also explores the ways economic and social factors influence our perceptions and values. His work encourages a nuanced view of culture, advocating for analyzing art and literature based on their inherent qualities rather than solely on social identity themes.