Which among the following are true in the context of literary research?
A) It is devoted to the enlightenment of criticism
B) It seeks to illuminate the work of art as it really is
C) It has no connection with the proffered information
D) It tries to see the writer as s/he really was
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is A, B and D only.

Literary research is a systematic, academic inquiry into literature to discover new facts, interpret texts, and understand the contexts surrounding literary works. Let us analyze each statement to see why A, B, and D are true, while C is false:

A) It is devoted to the enlightenment of criticism: True. Literary research provides the scholarly foundation, historical context, and theoretical frameworks that inform and enrich literary criticism. By discovering new textual details or historical contexts, research directly refines and improves critical interpretations of texts.

B) It seeks to illuminate the work of art as it really is: True. One of the central aims of literary scholarship is to understand the text in its authentic state. This involves textual criticism (establishing the correct, authentic text), understanding the language of the period, and uncovering the original historical and cultural contexts, which helps reader see the work of art as it truly was written and intended.

C) It has no connection with the proffered information: False. Literary research relies heavily on factual information, biographical data, historical documents, and bibliographical evidence (often referred to as "proffered information"). Research cannot exist in a vacuum; it is deeply connected to verifying and analyzing existing information.

D) It tries to see the writer as s/he really was: True. Biographical and historical approaches in literary research aim to reconstruct the author's life, intentions, psychological state, and historical environment. Understanding the writer "as s/he really was" helps scholars interpret the authorial intent and thematic choices in their literary works.

Therefore, statements A, B, and D are valid aspects of literary research, making A, B and D only the correct choice.