Emerson's Literary CriticismRalph Waldo Emerson has always fascinated students of criticism and of American literature and thought. Emerson& ’ s Literary Criticism supplies the continuing need for an anthology. This collection brings together Emerson& ’ s literary criticism from a wide variety of sources. Eric W. Carlson has culled both the major statements of Emerson's critical principles and many secondary observations that illuminate them. Here are more than sixty selections on thirty-five critical topics. Headnotes provide valuable background. Carlson relates Emerson& ’ s critical principles to his philosophy, social thought, and literary milieu, and also to biographical details. Intended for the student as well as the researcher, this book amply illustrates Alfred Kazin's contention that Ralph Waldo Emerson was "one of the shrewdest critics who ever lived." |
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Page xxi
only a universal organic process , but also a dynamic nuclear power which , once
tapped , will release the intellectual , emotional , and moral forces within the
individual psyche . This “ dream - power " is not to be equated with blind " instinct
...
only a universal organic process , but also a dynamic nuclear power which , once
tapped , will release the intellectual , emotional , and moral forces within the
individual psyche . This “ dream - power " is not to be equated with blind " instinct
...
Page xxix
The development of these theories of art was accompanied by changes in the
methods of criticism : from “ judicial ” analysis and moral judgment to aesthetic
and organic concerns . “ Judicial criticism ” was a mode that Emerson outgrew .
The development of these theories of art was accompanied by changes in the
methods of criticism : from “ judicial ” analysis and moral judgment to aesthetic
and organic concerns . “ Judicial criticism ” was a mode that Emerson outgrew .
Page xxx
great poem must first make his own life a true poem and achieve virtue , a theory
of the organic relation of literary creation and creator which encouraged
biographical criticism . ” 37 For Emerson , too , a writer must have character , not
talent ...
great poem must first make his own life a true poem and achieve virtue , a theory
of the organic relation of literary creation and creator which encouraged
biographical criticism . ” 37 For Emerson , too , a writer must have character , not
talent ...
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Emerson's literary criticism
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictEditor Carlson gathered this selection of Emerson's literary criticism in 1979. The great poet here ruminates on "Art as Experience," "The Creative Process," "Writers and Books," and more. Read full review
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American appear beauty become better called character Chaucer Coleridge common criticism culture delight draw Edited effect Emerson England English essay experience expression fact feeling flow genius give Goethe hand heart human ideal ideas imagination influence insight inspiration intellect interest journal language learned leaves lecture less light lines literary literature living look manners material meaning Milton mind moral nature never novel object organic original painting pass passage perception person philosopher picture poems poet poetic poetry praise present published reader reason relation represents rhetoric seems sense Shakspeare soul speak speech spirit stand style symbol theory things thought tion translation true truth universal verse whole wonderful Wordsworth write written