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    429 Results with the "Literary" genre


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      The Warden

      The Warden Cover
      by LovelyMay The Warden by Anthony Trollope is the first novel in the *Barsetshire Chronicles*, focusing on the moral and legal dilemmas faced by Reverend Septimus Harding, the warden of an almshouse, as he is embroiled in a public scandal over the fairness of his salary and the institution’s finances.
      Literary • Novel
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      APPENDIX II

      APPENDIX II Cover
      by LovelyMay In the appendix titled "Portraits of Virgil and Lucretius," part of "Letters on Literature," the discussion revolves around the historical depictions of these eminent Roman poets, underscoring the almost mythical quest to visualize their likenesses. Regarding Virgil, we learn about the speculative nature of his portraits. The narrative tells us that there exists no concrete bust of the poet; instead, our only clues come from manuscripts (MSS.), with the most notable being housed in the Vatican. This…
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      APPENDIX I

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      by LovelyMay In the appendix titled "Reynolds's Peter Bell," found in "Letters on Literature," the author discusses John Hamilton Reynolds's parody of William Wordsworth's "Peter Bell." This lyrical ballad, mentioned by Keats and published by Taylor and Hessey in London in 1888, was aimed at producing a parody before Wordsworth’s original work had a chance to establish itself fully. The context of this act of parody is deeply rooted in Reynolds's dissatisfaction with Wordsworth, particularly with what was perceived…
    • ON BOOKS ABOUT RED MEN Cover
      by LovelyMay In "ON BOOKS ABOUT RED MEN," addressed to Richard Wilby, Esq., at Eton College, Windsor, the writer, presumably an uncle, shares his fascination with literature, particularly stories about "Red Indians," with his nephew, Dick. The uncle reminiscences about his childhood antics inspired by such tales, including his attempts at crafting a tomahawk and a pipe, reminiscent of Hiawatha's, albeit unsuccessfully. The uncle endorses "A Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John Tanner," a true account of…
    • GERARD DE NERVAL Cover
      by LovelyMay In this letter addressed to Miss Girton of Cambridge, the writer delves into the appeal and enigmatic allure of Gerard de Nerval, a figure somewhat reserved for a more discerning, perhaps male, audience. Not due to any impropriety, but rather Nerval's intricate expression of unorthodox sentiment and love, diverging significantly from the conventional. The comparison between Nerval and Edgar Allan Poe illustrates this point, highlighting a shared penchant for the ethereal and ideal over the tangible,…
    • ON VERS DE SOCIETE Cover
      by LovelyMay In "On Vers De Société," addressed to Mr. Gifted Hopkins, the chapter dissects the art and history of light verse, specifically within societal and courtly contexts. The ancient Greeks and Romans are initially dismissed for their lack of societal structure conducive to the creation of sociable verses, highlighting the absence of women in social equality. The narrative transitions to the emergence of court life in France as the inception point for this style of verse, crediting figures like Charles…
    • OF VERS DE SOCIETE Cover
      by LovelyMay In the letter "Of Vers De Societe" addressed to Mr. Gifted Hopkins, the writer critiques Hopkins's poem "To Delia in Girton," advising against his attempt at society verses, highlighting the challenge of this genre even for the ancients who excelled in other poetic forms. The writer navigates through historical and cultural contexts, from Theocritus's AEolic verses, emblematic of tasteful gift-giving and unobtrusive flattery, to the limitations observed in Roman and Greek poetry, where societal norms…
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      ROCHEFOUCAULD

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      by LovelyMay In a letter to Lady Violet Lebas, the author expresses mixed feelings about Rochefoucauld's "Reflexions, ou Sentences et Maximes Morales." He suggests that the maxims, while insightful, can become overwhelming due to their sheer number and the cynicism they project about human nature. The author contrasts Rochefoucauld's observations on self-love, vanity, and human motives with his own experiences and beliefs, arguing for a more nuanced view of human actions that includes genuine affection and…
    • TO A YOUNG AMERICAN BOOK-HUNTER Cover
      by LovelyMay To Philip Dodsworth, Esq., in New York, the author addresses his experiences and advice on the pursuit of book-hunting, congratulating Dodsworth on joining this passionate quest. He begins by evoking the sentimentality and solitude that comes with the love for books, referencing Thomas e Kempis and the comfort found in reading. Despite offering advice, the author humorously acknowledges that like many enthusiasts, Dodsworth may not strictly follow it, highlighting the eager but often haphazard nature of…
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      LUCRETIUS

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      by LovelyMay To the Rev. Geoffrey Martin, Oxford, the letter delves into the intriguing aspect of how the religious beliefs of ancient Greece and Rome provided comfort or solace to individuals, a topic that remains largely unexplored in modern discourse. This curiosity is framed within the context of understanding the personal and emotional connection individuals of antiquity might have had with their Gods, considering the detailed knowledge we possess about their rituals, mythology, and deities yet knowing so little…
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