ON LITERATURE TODAY

by Van Wyck Brooks ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Contrasting the dominant mood in the history of literature -- will, courage, faith in humanity -- with the mood of the past two decades, -- desperate unhappiness, sterile despair, destructive spirit, war for social justice, realism viewed as leading to defeat and failure. Critics of today view the output resignedly, and demand technical novelty. He analyzes the causes in the world state since the first war, in the emergence of reactionary forces, powers of evil, world depression. He defines the reaction in the sphere of language as ""inverted prudery"", and excoriates the moderns as permanent adolescents, emotionally shallow. A slim book, packed with challenge to the present generation of writers.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1941

Categories: NONFICTION