Have you read American Renaissance, by F.O. Matthiessen? I've read it twice, or maybe even three times, most recently during the early covid lockdown period. Very strongly recommended. The major sections are on Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville and Whitman, with digressions on dozens of other writers, painters, architects, etc. Accor…
Have you read American Renaissance, by F.O. Matthiessen? I've read it twice, or maybe even three times, most recently during the early covid lockdown period. Very strongly recommended. The major sections are on Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville and Whitman, with digressions on dozens of other writers, painters, architects, etc. According to Matthiessen, Emerson gave clear instruction & purpose for a new American literary style, but didn't really find one himself; Hawthorne addressed evil and guilt in the specific context of American puritanism -- and lots more stuff -- it's a 600 page book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1263626.American_Renaissance
Have you read American Renaissance, by F.O. Matthiessen? I've read it twice, or maybe even three times, most recently during the early covid lockdown period. Very strongly recommended. The major sections are on Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville and Whitman, with digressions on dozens of other writers, painters, architects, etc. According to Matthiessen, Emerson gave clear instruction & purpose for a new American literary style, but didn't really find one himself; Hawthorne addressed evil and guilt in the specific context of American puritanism -- and lots more stuff -- it's a 600 page book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1263626.American_Renaissance
Sounds great. Thank you