The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages is a 1994 book by literary critic Harold Bloom. It defends the concept of the Western literary canon by analyzing 26 authors he considers central to it, while also criticizing the politicization of literature and the rise of what he calls the "school of resentment". 
Key aspects of the book:
Defense of the Canon:
Bloom argues for the enduring value of the Western literary tradition and the importance of studying its great works. 
Central Authors:
The book focuses on 26 authors, including Shakespeare, Dante, Milton, Austen, Dickinson, Tolstoy, Freud, and Joyce, among others. 
Critique of Ideology:
Bloom criticizes the influence of multiculturalism, feminism, Marxism, and other ideologies on literary criticism, arguing that they detract from aesthetic appreciation. 
"School of Resentment":
Bloom uses this term to describe academics who he believes prioritize ideological readings of literature over aesthetic and intellectual engagement. 
Shakespeare's Centrality:
Bloom places Shakespeare at the heart of the Western Canon, arguing that his work has influenced all subsequent writers. 
"Future Canon":
The book includes an appendix listing works that Bloom believes will be considered canonical in the future.