American Renaissance: Art and Expression in the Age of Emerson and Whitman - Paperback

by Francis O. Matthiessen (Author), F. O. Matthiessen (Author)

Studies the views of 5 prominent mid-19th century writers on the function and nature of literature and how they applied these views to their works.

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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.