This text has taken its place as the definitive treatment of the most distinguished age of American literature. Centering the discussion around five literary giants of the mid-nineteenth century-Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, and Whitman. Matthiessen elucidates their conceptions of the nature and function of literature, and the extent to which these were realized in their writings.
This text has taken its place as the definitive treatment of the most distinguished age of American literature. Centering the discussion around five literary giants of the mid-nineteenth century-Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, and Whitman. Matthiessen elucidates their conceptions of the nature and function of literature, and the extent to which these were realized in their writings.
Book 1From Emerson to Thoreau
Book 2Hawthorne
Book 3Melville
Book 4Whitman
"[Matthiessen's] exploration of the haunted mind of Hawthorne, of
Emerson's integrity, of the mental hell in which Melville lived, of
Whitman's schizophrenia, of Thoreau's chosen solitude, [has]
produced a book unequaled in American critical writing."--The New
Republic
"Perhaps the most profound work of literary criticism on historical
principles by any modern American."--Saturday Review
"[Matthiessen's] exploration of the haunted mind of Hawthorne, of
Emerson's integrity, of the mental hell in which Melville lived, of
Whitman's schizophrenia, of Thoreau's chosen solitude, [has]
produced a book unequaled in American critical writing."--The New
Republic
"Matthiessen has brought to light a rich and complex period....His
comments on language and style, in addition to being discerning as
criticism, become finally profound reflections on
nineteenth-century American society."--Daniel Aaron, Kenyon
Review
"This classic remains very helpful; I'm glad it's published in
paperback, so I can recommend it to students who couldn't possibly
purchase a hard-cover edition."--Robert Lee Stuart, University of
Redlands
"The definitive text regarding the epistemological crisis of the
mid-nineteenth century."--Arnold Goudenstein, Fitchburg (MA) State
Ccollege
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