The Decadent: Being the Gospel of Inaction by Ralph Adams Cram
QR code
"The Decadent: Being the Gospel of Inaction" by Ralph Adams Cram is a philosophical narrative written in the early 1890s. This work is crafted as a novel and reflects on the themes of social action versus inaction, exploring the implications and motivations that underlie societal change during what is presented as an era of decay and decadence. The book delves into the contrasting beliefs of its characters, particularly focusing on the protagonist,
Malcolm McCann, and his former pupil, Aurelian Blake, highlighting the tensions between revolutionary zeal and a desire to retreat into a life of art and contemplation. The story unfolds as Malcolm McCann arrives at Vita Nuova, Aurelian's luxurious estate, where he finds his former pupil seemingly lost in a life of opulence and pleasure, in stark contrast to the revolutionary ideals he once held. Throughout their conversations, McCann, fueled by a passion for social justice, attempts to reawaken Aurelian’s commitment to the socialist cause, while Aurelian advocates for a retreat from the chaos of the world, arguing that true art and individualism can only thrive in a place separate from societal strife. The narrative ultimately presents a profound philosophical struggle, capturing the conflict between action and inaction in a world perceived to be in decline, leading to a poignant conclusion about the nature of life, art, and societal evolution. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
Kindle → Use Send-to-Kindle
Kobo, Nook etc. → Transfer via USB
Phone, tablet or computer → Open in a reading app
Other formats & older devices
There may be more files related to this item.
About this eBook
| Author | Cram, Ralph Adams, 1863-1942 |
|---|---|
| Title |
The Decadent: Being the Gospel of Inaction Wherein Are Set Forth in Romance Form Certain Reflections Touching the Curious Characteristics of These Ultimate Years, and the Divers Causes Thereof |
| Credits |
Produced by Demian Katz and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University (digital.library.villanova.edu/)) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 67.2 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 41490 |
| Release Date | Nov 26, 2012 |
| Last Update | Oct 23, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 362 downloads in the last 30 days. |
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!