Epic in American culture : settlement to reconstruction / Christopher N. Phillips.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Phillips, Christopher N.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Epic literature, American--History and criticism.

Epic literature, American.

Literature and history--United States--History--18th century.

Literature and history.

Literature and history--United States--History--19th century.

History.

United States.

National characteristics, American, in literature.

Physical Description:

xi, 360 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Baltimore, Md. : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2012.

Summary:

Phillips (English, Lafayette College) devotes much of his introductory essay to a nuanced discussion of what is meant by "epic." He then investigates the concept and the form in American life, literature, and art from the country's early days. Among the topics addressed: Transcendentalism, The Leatherstocking Tales, Lydia Sigourney, Longfellow, and Melville. The epilogue, titled "Invisible Epic," brings the discussion further forward in time. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents:

Introduction : epic travels

Prologue : reading epic

Diffusions of epic form in early America

Constitutional epic

Epic on canvas

Transcendentalism and the "new" epic traditions

Tracking epic through The leather-stocking tales

Lydia Sigourney and the Indian epic's work of mourning

Longfellow's pantheon

Melville's epic career

Epilogue : invisible epic.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781421404899

9781421405278

1421404893

142140527X

OCLC:

746154051