According to T.S. Eliot, an ideal critic performs two basic functions - 'elucidation of a work of art under his review' and 'correction of taste'. A perfect critic must possess a highly trained mind and refined literary taste to be able to perform these two basic functions. He must have the taste and talent to understand the true nature of poetry. He must possess a disciplined and analytical mind to 'elucidate' a work of art through 'comparison and analysis'. Further more, his judgements must be balanced and impartial, unaffected by any kind of bias or prejudice. "Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation is directed not upon the poet, but upon the poetry".
A perfect critic must not belong to any particular literary school or movement. He must make disinterested endeavour to know and propagate the best that is known and thought in the world. He must be able to overcome all his prejudices and also refrain from an excessive quest for 'sources', 'influences' and such other extraneous information. For him a work of art must be complete in itself. He must be able to 'bring permanent artistic values to bear upon contemporary art'. He must also have the moral courage to reject the wrong and uphold the true and genuine element in a work of art. It is true that some biographical information about the author may be useful, but it should not be explored too much. In his concluding remarks, Eliot says that a perfect critic should not merely be a technical expert, but also "the whole man, a man with convictions and principles, and knowledge and experience of life".
