Poetic Diction: A Study in Meaning

by Owen Barfield

Overview

First published in 1928, 'Poetic Diction: A study in Meaning' presents not merely a theory of poetic diction but also a theory of poetry and a theory of knowledge. "Language has preserved for us the inner, living history of man's soul. It reveals the evolution of consciousness." Owen Barfield Owen Barfield is one of the twentieth century's most significant writers and philosophers. A member of the Inklings, Barfield's ideas and literary artistry influenced fellow-Inklings C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, and won praise from many of the foremost literary figures of the century. Praise for Owen Barfield: "A prolific and interesting thinker" - Times Literary Supplement "The wisest and best of my unofficial teachers."- C.S.Lewis "A masterpiece ... of prophetic value" - T.S.Eliot "possibly the clearest and most searching thinker of the present time" - Howard Nemerov

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780955958243
Publisher:	Barfield Press UK
Publication date:	02/14/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	244
Sales rank:	253,099
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

OWEN BARFIELD, whom C. S. Lewis called the "wisest and best of my unofficial teachers," is a philosopher and author of many books, including Saving the Appearances, Unancestral Voice, The Rediscovery of Meaning and Other Essays, Owen Barnfield on C. S. Lewis, and History, Guilt, and Habit. Born in 1898, he lives in East Sussex, England.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Howard Nemerov
Preface to first edition
Preface to second edition
Definition and Examples
The Effects of Poetry
Metaphor
Meaning and Myth
Language and Poetry
The Poet
The Making of Meaning (I)
The Making of Meaning (II)
Verse and Prose
Archaism
Strangeness
Conclusion
Appendix I
Appendix II
Appendix III
Appendix IV
Afterword
Index

What People are Saying About This

Howard Nemerov

“Among the few poets and teachers of my acquaintance who know Poetic Diction, it has been valued not only as a secret book, but nearly as a sacred one.”

From the Publisher

"This extraordinary study stands virtually alone in focusing on the mysterious area in poetry between word and meaning. Only the most sensitive and learned guides coule lead us through this terra incognita. Barfield is such a guide The book has already become a classic."—G. B. Tennyson

"Among the few poets and teachers of my acquaintance who know Poetic Diction, it has been valued not only as a secret book, but nearly as a sacred one."—Howard Nemerov

G. B. Tennyson

"This extraordinary study stands virtually alone in focusing on the mysterious area in poetry between word and meaning. Only the most sensitive and learned guides coule lead us through this terra incognita. Barfield is such a guide ... The book has already become a classic."

Editorial Reviews

"This extraordinary study stands virtually alone in focusing on the mysterious area in poetry between word and meaning. Only the most sensitive and learned guides coule lead us through this terra incognita. Barfield is such a guide The book has already become a classic."—G. B. Tennyson

"Among the few poets and teachers of my acquaintance who know Poetic Diction, it has been valued not only as a secret book, but nearly as a sacred one."—Howard Nemerov

From the Publisher