The Function of the Poet, and Other Essays by James Russell Lowell
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"The Function of the Poet, and Other Essays" by James Russell Lowell is a collection of literary criticism written in the mid-19th century. The essays delve into the roles and functions of poetry and poets, reflecting Lowell's contemplations on the nature of creativity, culture, and the evolution of poetry through different eras. The work expresses a deep appreciation for classic poets while also addressing the contemporary literary landscape of his time. The
opening of the book sets the stage for a profound exploration of the poet's vocation, discussing how the poet serves as both a "seer" and a "maker." It highlights the duality of the poet's role in society—entertaining as well as enlightening—and how poets historically combined spiritual insight with earthly storytelling. In particular, it emphasizes the connection between imagination and understanding that is vital for meaningful poetic expression. This opening portion suggests that Lowell believes the function of the poet is not just to create beauty but to reflect and elevate the human experience, positing that poets can renew and redeem the collective spirit of their times. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Lowell, James Russell, 1819-1891 |
|---|---|
| Editor | Mordell, Albert, 1885-1965 |
| Title | The Function of the Poet, and Other Essays |
| Credits | Produced by Ted Garvin, Thomas Amrhein and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 61.1 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PN: Language and Literatures: Literature: General, Criticism, Collections |
| Subject | Literature -- History and criticism |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 14481 |
| Release Date | Dec 27, 2004 |
| Last Update | Oct 28, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 418 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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