“One of the malfunctions of literary criticism is that it tends to create clothing patterns and then cut these patterns up to create garments. But that’s destroyed the books.”

Simplified Meaning:

Literary criticism sometimes tries to fit books into certain categories or patterns, much like making clothes from fabric using a set design. Critics create rules or templates that they feel stories should follow. However, when they force different books into these predefined patterns, it can ruin the originality and unique qualities of those books. Imagine you have a beautiful piece of fabric meant to become an exclusive dress, but instead of allowing the fabric to shape itself into a unique dress, someone cuts it to fit a standard pattern. This could ruin the special design and fabric. Similarly, when critics try to make every book fit into a same old mold, it can take away what makes each book special. For instance, if a novel is meant to explore new ideas or experiment with language, squeezing it into a traditional 'hero’s journey' structure could leave out important details or emotions. Writers should feel free to create without worrying about fitting into specific molds, and readers can enjoy books more by appreciating their unique stories and styles.