404 Results with the "Literary" genre


    • On Vers De Société Cover
      by LovelyMay On Vers De Société opens a thoughtful exploration into the delicate craft of sociable poetry, the kind meant not for grand epics or deep philosophical contemplation, but for gentle wit, refined charm, and light emotional touch. Rather than originate in the ancient worlds of Greece or Rome, where societal hierarchies and the exclusion of women shaped cultural expression, this genre blossomed later in the elegant courts of France. It was there, in an atmosphere of leisure, subtle flirtation, and cultivated…
    • ON BOOKS ABOUT RED MEN Cover
      by LovelyMay "ON BOOKS ABOUT RED MEN" opens with a tone of warm nostalgia, where a gentleman writes to a young schoolboy, Dick, about his own youthful fascination with stories of Native American life. The writer recalls days spent pretending to be an “Indian,” trying and failing to make a tomahawk or mimic Hiawatha’s rituals. He shares that the stories weren’t just imaginative fuel but sources of great enthusiasm—so much so that he once stuffed a peace pipe with tea leaves and promptly sickened himself. What…
    • Of Vers De Societe Cover
      by LovelyMay Of Vers De Societe opens with a pointed response to Mr. Gifted Hopkins, whose poetic attempt is critiqued not out of malice, but out of a desire for refinement. The form he attempted, though seemingly light, demands more than charm—it calls for a subtle mastery of tone, wit, and restraint. Unlike other poetic expressions where emotion may roam free, society verse must flirt with feeling without ever losing its composure. The Greeks, despite their lyrical prowess, left little to this genre due to the…
    • Of Modern English Poetry Cover
      by LovelyMay "Of Modern English Poetry" emerges a compelling conversation about literary evolution and the selective brilliance found in the present age. As poetic voices multiply across continents, there is merit in focusing on a few whose contributions have quietly shaped English verse. Instead of sweeping assessments, examining the individual paths of Mr. Swinburne, Mr. William Morris, and Mr. Robert Bridges gives a clearer view of where poetry has been and what it may become. These three, distinct in tone and…
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      Lucretius

      Lucretius Cover
      by LovelyMay Lucretius opens the door to a striking contrast between ancient ritual and modern thought, shedding light on the emotional resonance that classical religions might have carried for their adherents. Though we have cataloged their myths, sacrifices, and divine hierarchies in detail, little has been preserved to explain how deeply these beliefs comforted or unsettled ordinary people. This absence of personal religious reflection makes Lucretius’ intervention all the more significant. In De Rerum Natura, he…
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      Longfellow

      Longfellow Cover
      by LovelyMay Longfellow holds a place in the hearts of many who grew up with his poems tucked inside childhood memories. In a letter to Walter Mainwaring, the author begins with an amusing sidestep from Browning's complex "Sordello" and instead shares his spontaneous return to Longfellow, dusting off books he hadn’t opened for decades. What begins as a light detour becomes a deeply reflective journey through time, as Longfellow’s familiar stanzas summon the author’s earlier years, stirring recollections not just…
    • Letters on Literature Cover
      by LovelyMay Letters on Literature by Susan Fenimore Cooper is a collection of insightful essays and personal letters that explore a wide range of literary topics, offering reflections on the art of writing, the role of literature in society, and the works of notable authors, all framed within the context of 19th-century American culture.
    • Introductory: Of Modern English Poetry Cover
      by LovelyMay Introductory reflections often reveal more about the observer than the subject, especially when it comes to poetry. In the letter to Mr. Wincott, the author opens with a humble refusal to pen letters directly to living poets, citing the potential offense in writing publicly to people still active in their careers. Yet, he proposes a more fluid approach—adopting the letter format for thoughtful commentary, allowing for sincerity, mild bias, and warmth. This gentle framing creates space for subjective…
    • Gerard de Nerval Cover
      by LovelyMay Gerard de Nerval represents a rare literary figure whose allure lies in the dreamlike quality of his prose and the deep melancholy that permeates his work. In this reflection, shared with Miss Girton of Cambridge, the writer attempts to explain why Nerval remains somewhat inaccessible to many readers, particularly those unacquainted with his abstract take on emotion. It is not a matter of intelligence or gender but rather a question of sensibility—Nerval speaks most clearly to those who feel more than…
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      Fielding

      Fielding Cover
      by LovelyMay Fielding remains a towering figure in English literature, even if his popularity has dimmed in certain regions over time. While Reverend E. P. Roe might claim the hearts of contemporary readers in the Upper Mississippi Valley, the subtle artistry and profound moral architecture embedded in Fielding’s works deserve renewed attention. His characters may stumble through bawdy episodes and flawed decisions, yet the underlying current of his narratives always flows toward kindness, equity, and social…
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