Definitions: Essays in Contemporary Criticism [First Series] by Henry Seidel Canby
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"Definitions: Essays in Contemporary Criticism [First Series]" by Henry Seidel Canby is a collection of critical essays written in the early 20th century. In this work, Canby explores the multifaceted nature of contemporary literature, especially how it intertwines with American culture and social dynamics. His essays aim to dissect various genres and themes, providing insights into how sentimentality, idealism, and the societal backdrop influence both writers and readers in the realm of
fiction. At the start of the collection, Canby elaborates on the nature of American literature, particularly its inclination toward sentimentality. He contrasts the pragmatic and often hard nature of American life with the preference for emotionally charged, soft literature that tends to idealize its characters and plots. Canby critiques this tendency, suggesting that while sentiment and idealism are inherent to the American psyche, they often lead to a detachment from reality in storytelling. He sets the stage for an examination of the influences shaping fiction, including cultural conditioning, societal expectations, and the aspirations served by popular narratives, marking a critical pathway through which readers can deepen their understanding of the literary landscape of their time. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Canby, Henry Seidel, 1878-1961 |
|---|---|
| Title | Definitions: Essays in Contemporary Criticism [First Series] |
| Credits | Produced by Ralph Zimmerman, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 57.6 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Criticism |
| Subject | American literature -- 20th century -- History and criticism |
| Subject | English fiction -- History and criticism |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 6106 |
| Release Date | Jul 1, 2004 |
| Last Update | Dec 29, 2020 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 408 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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