Beneath The American Renaissance: The Subversive Imagination in the Age of Emerson and Melville

Reynolds, David S.

ISBN 10: 039454448X / ISBN 13: 9780394544489

Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 1988

About this Item

The book is in good condition with all pages and cover intact, including the dust jacket if originally issued. The spine may show light wear. Pages may contain some notes or highlighting, and there might be a "From the library of" label. Boxed set packaging, shrink wrap, or included media like CDs may be missing.

Seller Inventory # BSM.198UF

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Beneath The American Renaissance: The Subversive Imagination in the Age of Emerson and Melville
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Publication Date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 039454448X
• ISBN 13: 9780394544489
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: good

About this title

Synopsis

Analyses American literature from the first half of the nineteenth century, including many lesser known works, and discusses writings of various geographical regions and both sexes

Reviews

Using the products of popular culture between 1820 and 1855 more comprehensively than do other Renaissance scholars, Reynolds tries to fix our "classic" texts (e.g., Moby Dick ) as culminating transfigurations of, rather than anomalous reactions against, the voluminous literature of their day. He focuses especially on the various reform literatures, new religious evangelical style, and flood of popular fiction, arguing that our major writers were able to absorb the style, themes, and genres of these sub-literary materials without sacrificing aesthetic control. Though he tends to overstate specific influences and embraces too mechanical a model for the creative process, his argument and impressive display of materials make for a significant contribution to American studies. Earl Rovit, City Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.