The Vagabond in Literature

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Compton-Rickett, Arthur, 1869-1937

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Vagabond in Literature" by Arthur Compton-Rickett is a literary analysis written in the early 20th century. The book explores the concept of the "Vagabond" as a character type in literature, focusing on writers who embody a restless spirit and a passion for the earth, often in conflict with societal conventions. The study examines the literary personalities of notable figures such as William Hazlitt, Thomas De Quincey, and Walt Whitman, illustrating how their vagabond traits manifest in their works. The opening of the book introduces the meaning of "vagabond" not in a negative sense but as an exploration of writers who possess an innate wanderlust-both physically and intellectually. Compton-Rickett discusses the core characteristics of the vagabond temperament: restlessness, a deep passion for the earth, and a degree of aloofness or emotional reserve towards society. Additionally, he emphasizes the interplay of biography and literature in revealing these authors' unique perspectives, setting the stage for a deeper dive into how these traits influenced their literary expressions and contributions. The author invites readers to understand the vagabond spirit as a complex and enriching aspect of literary history that reflects broader human experiences. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Introduction: The vagabond element in modern literature

William Hazlitt

Thomas De Quincey

George Borrow

Henry D. Thoreau

Robert Louis Stevenson

Richard Jefferies

Walt Whitman.

Credits:

Transcribed from the 1906 J. M. Dent & Co. edition by David Price

Notes:

Reading ease score: 58.6 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2010-08-05