The Beginning's of - For Dummies J A Modified Version of R. L. McGuire's Passionate Attention: an introduction to . Literature and criticism Authors basic assumption of a book- the reading and the study of literature cannot and do not take place outside the context of human values. One's unique personal experiences are from whence their values are formed. These values come to light as a reader reads or a writer writes. Literature is a record of specific personal perceptions: H. Read-"the outer image of inward things". Literature proves th ....