A Full Enquiry into the Nature of the Pastoral (1717) by Thomas Purney
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"A Full Enquiry into the True Nature of Pastoral" by Thomas Purney is a critical essay written in the early 18th century. This work examines pastoral poetry, discussing its characteristics, purposes, and the distinctions between various interpretations and forms of the genre. Purney critiques existing literature on pastoral themes while attempting to elevate the status of pastoral poetry by outlining its potential for deeper moral and emotional resonance. At the start of
the essay, the reader is introduced to a character named Cubbin, a shepherd lounging in a picturesque setting. The narrative unfolds as he encounters Sophy, a figure who admires Cubbin's pastoral poetry while offering insights on how it can be improved. Sophy critiques contemporary poetic practices, expressing a desire for a more engaged and thoughtful approach to pastoral themes. He emphasizes the importance of crafting pastoral poetry that reflects human experience—balancing the beautiful with the real—and argues that true pastoral should focus on simple, tender emotions and experiences that resonate with readers. This opening sets the stage for Purney's exploration of pastoral poetry, highlighting the complexities involved in its creation and understanding. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Purney, Thomas, 1695-1727? |
|---|---|
| Author of introduction, etc. | Wasserman, Earl R. (Earl Reeves), 1913-1973 |
| LoC No. | 50001177 |
| Title | A Full Enquiry into the Nature of the Pastoral (1717) |
| Credits | Produced by S.R.Ellison, David Starner, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 65.2 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PN: Language and Literatures: Literature: General, Criticism, Collections |
| Subject | Pastoral poetry |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 15313 |
| Release Date | Mar 10, 2005 |
| Last Update | Dec 14, 2020 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 411 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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