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…
    • 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…
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      Rochefoucauld

      Rochefoucauld Cover
      by LovelyMay Rochefoucauld stands as one of literature’s sharpest critics of human behavior, wielding his pen like a scalpel to dissect motives and strip sentiment to its skeleton. Writing to Lady Violet Lebas, the author offers an appreciation of the elegance in Rochefoucauld’s prose but raises concern over the bleakness of his conclusions. The maxims, while brilliantly phrased, often cast suspicion on kindness, suggesting it stems not from generosity but from vanity or fear. This persistent reduction of all human…
    • To a Young American Book-Hunter Cover
      by LovelyMay To a Young American Book-Hunter, the journey begins with far more than just shelves and spines—it opens with a recognition of solitude, joy, and the curious discipline that collecting demands. A letter sent to Philip Dodsworth speaks not only with encouragement but with gentle caution. The writer understands how easy it is to be swept away by the charm of books, the smell of paper, and the pride of acquisition. Yet enthusiasm can lead to cluttered shelves and hollow purchases when one lacks a focused…
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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…
    • Plotinus (A.D. 200–262) Cover
      by LovelyMay Plotinus (A.D. 200–262) stands as a vivid figure in the landscape of ancient thought, blending mysticism with a structured philosophical pursuit of the divine. Born in Lycopolis, Egypt, he found early direction in the teachings of Alexandria, a center that offered both intellectual rigor and spiritual speculation. His life, though marked by failed ambitions—such as his thwarted journey to India—was nonetheless filled with an intense inward journey. He sought not just to understand the divine but to…
    • Aucassin et Nicolette Cover
      by LovelyMay Aucassin et Nicolette unfolds with an odd charm that feels both playful and profound, beckoning readers into a world stitched together by passion, rebellion, and a longing for meaning. The tale, cast in alternating prose and verse, offers a texture unlike many modern narratives—its rhythm capturing the tempo of two hearts out of step with the rules of their time. Aucassin, the son of a count, is not drawn to war or glory but to love, and his refusal to conform ignites the central tension of the story.…
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      On Virgil

      On Virgil Cover
      by LovelyMay On Virgil, the exploration begins not with reverence but with a quiet honesty. The author addresses Lady Violet Lebas in a tone that resists conventional praise, emphasizing that true appreciation of literature must arise naturally rather than from obligation or academic consensus. He confesses a lack of emotional attachment to several literary giants often held in high esteem, not from ignorance but from a preference for works that spark a personal, visceral reaction. This establishes a context in which…
    • A Friend of Keats Cover
      by LovelyMay A Friend of Keats introduces us to John Hamilton Reynolds, a poet often overshadowed by his illustrious peers but worthy of renewed attention. The narrative frames Reynolds not as a distant literary relic, but as a vibrant participant in the Romantic era’s creative pulse—someone whose work, though now faded in public memory, once moved among the era's poetic titans. Reynolds possessed not only literary grace but also a fascination with the grit of life, evidenced in his passion for boxing and its…
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      Longfellow

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      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…
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