Some Versions of Pastoral: Literary Criticism

Some Versions of Pastoral is considered a landmark of modern literary criticism.

Mr. Empson sees the pastoral convention as including not only poems of shepherd life but any work "about the people but not by or for" them. Finding examples in the writing of every country and century, from Mencius to William Faulkner or Céline, he concentrates on an analysis of certain works and forms in English literature, several of them, like Alice in Wonderland, Troilus and Cressida, and proletarian novels not traditionally considered pastoral. His chapter on Milton and Bentley is a precursor of Mr. Empson’s 1961 book, Milton’s God. With virtuoso clarity and perception throughout he brings the student to a new awareness of hidden values in individual works and to the creative possibilities of the language.
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Some Versions of Pastoral: Literary Criticism

Some Versions of Pastoral is considered a landmark of modern literary criticism.

Mr. Empson sees the pastoral convention as including not only poems of shepherd life but any work "about the people but not by or for" them. Finding examples in the writing of every country and century, from Mencius to William Faulkner or Céline, he concentrates on an analysis of certain works and forms in English literature, several of them, like Alice in Wonderland, Troilus and Cressida, and proletarian novels not traditionally considered pastoral. His chapter on Milton and Bentley is a precursor of Mr. Empson’s 1961 book, Milton’s God. With virtuoso clarity and perception throughout he brings the student to a new awareness of hidden values in individual works and to the creative possibilities of the language.
18.95 In Stock
Some Versions of Pastoral: Literary Criticism

Some Versions of Pastoral: Literary Criticism

by William Empson
Some Versions of Pastoral: Literary Criticism

Some Versions of Pastoral: Literary Criticism

by William Empson

Paperback

$18.95 
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Overview

Some Versions of Pastoral is considered a landmark of modern literary criticism.

Mr. Empson sees the pastoral convention as including not only poems of shepherd life but any work "about the people but not by or for" them. Finding examples in the writing of every country and century, from Mencius to William Faulkner or Céline, he concentrates on an analysis of certain works and forms in English literature, several of them, like Alice in Wonderland, Troilus and Cressida, and proletarian novels not traditionally considered pastoral. His chapter on Milton and Bentley is a precursor of Mr. Empson’s 1961 book, Milton’s God. With virtuoso clarity and perception throughout he brings the student to a new awareness of hidden values in individual works and to the creative possibilities of the language.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780811200387
Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation
Publication date: 01/17/1974
Series: Paperbook Series
Pages: 298
Product dimensions: 5.20(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

William Empson was a 20th century English literary critic and writer.
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