Which one of the following is false?

The correct option is: An ideal literary researcher should not cast himself back into another age

Let's break down the reasoning behind why this statement is false in the context of literary research:

1. Understanding the Role of a Literary Researcher: A literary researcher study works from various historical periods. To truly comprehend, analyze, and interpret a text from the past, a researcher must understand the historical, cultural, and social context in which it was written. This process requires the researcher to imaginative transport themselves into the era of the text, often referred to as "casting oneself back into another age."

2. Analyzing the False Statement: The statement "An ideal literary researcher should not cast himself back into another age" suggests that a researcher should remain entirely detached from the historical context of the literature they study. This is incorrect because failing to engage with the historical context would lead to anachronistic interpretations and a superficial understanding of the work.

3. Evaluating the Other Options (Why they are true):

• "An ideal literary researcher must be an insatiable reader": True, because deep and wide reading is fundamental to discovering literary patterns, intertextuality, and broad contexts.
• "An ideal literary researcher should comprehend the current attitudes or the artistic assumptions": True, because a researcher must be aware of both past and contemporary critical frameworks to evaluate literature effectively.
• "An ideal literary researcher must have a vivid sense of history": True, as literature is inherently reflective of and shaped by the historical period of its creation.