Roland Barthes's 'Criticism and Truth' is a seminal work in literary theory, serving as a forceful rejoinder to traditional literary criticism of his time, particularly the 'new criticism.' In this concise yet profound essay, Barthes champions a semiotic approach to literature, advocating for the analysis of text as a system of signs rather than a mere reflection of authorial intent. He distinguishes between the objective, structural analysis of the text (criticism) and the subjective, interpretative act of reading (truth), asserting that meaning is constructed by the reader through the interplay of signs. Barthes challenges the notion of a single, definitive meaning, paving the way for post-structuralist thought and emphasizing the infinite possibilities of textual interpretation. This work remains crucial for understanding the evolution of modern literary theory and the relationship between language, meaning, and power.