In "The Western Canon," Harold Bloom critiques the way certain ideologies can distort the appreciation and understanding of literature. He argues that reading should be an act of engagement with the aesthetic power of texts, rather than a means to serve any specific ideology. When literature is approached through a lens of selfishness or exploitation, it diminishes the true value of the work. Bloom emphasizes the importance of literature in helping individuals to reflect on themselves and understand their existence. Through genuine engagement with literary works, readers can cultivate a sense of self-awareness and find ways to cope with their own experiences. This process is crucial to experiencing the full impact of literature, rather than reducing it to mere ideological tools.

Monsters of selfishness and exploitation reflect the dangers of reading literature for ideological purposes, robbing it of its true beauty.

Bloom believes that the genuine reception of art allows us to engage deeply with ourselves, fostering endurance through literary exploration.