The Function of the Poet, and Other Essays

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lowell, James Russell, 1819-1891

Contributor:

Mordell, Albert, 1885-1965

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Function of the Poet, and Other Essays" by James Russell Lowell is a collection of literary criticism written in the mid-19th century. The essays delve into the roles and functions of poetry and poets, reflecting Lowell's contemplations on the nature of creativity, culture, and the evolution of poetry through different eras. The work expresses a deep appreciation for classic poets while also addressing the contemporary literary landscape of his time. The opening of the book sets the stage for a profound exploration of the poet's vocation, discussing how the poet serves as both a "seer" and a "maker." It highlights the duality of the poet's role in society-entertaining as well as enlightening-and how poets historically combined spiritual insight with earthly storytelling. In particular, it emphasizes the connection between imagination and understanding that is vital for meaningful poetic expression. This opening portion suggests that Lowell believes the function of the poet is not just to create beauty but to reflect and elevate the human experience, positing that poets can renew and redeem the collective spirit of their times. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Ted Garvin, Thomas Amrhein and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team

Notes:

Reading ease score: 61.1 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2004-12-27