No thornier theme could well be suggested than I was once invited to consider by an Englishman who wished to know how far American politicians were scholars, and how far American authors took part in politics. In my mind I first revolted from the inquiry, and then I cast about, in the fascination it began to have for me, to see how I might handle it and prick myself … [Read more...] about Politics of American Authors by William Dean Howells
Classic Articles on Writing
Bio of Benjamin Franklin by Nathaniel Hawthorne
In the year 1716, or about that period, a boy used to be seen in the streets of Boston, who was known among his schoolfellows and playmates by the name of Ben Franklin. Ben was born in 1706; so that he was now about ten years old. His father, who had come over from England, was a soap-boiler and tallow-chandler, and resided in Milk Street, not far from the old South … [Read more...] about Bio of Benjamin Franklin by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Confessions of a Humorist by O. Henry
There was a painless stage of incubation that lasted twenty-five years, and then it broke out on me, and people said I was It.But they called it humor instead of measles.The employees in the store bought a silver inkstand for the senior partner on his fiftieth birthday. We crowded into his private office to present it. I had been selected for spokesman, and I made a … [Read more...] about Confessions of a Humorist by O. Henry
Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts by Thomas de Quincey
MURDER,CONSIDERED AS ONE OF THE FINE ARTS. by Thomas de QuinceyDOCTOR NORTH: You are a liberal man: liberal in the true classical sense, not in the slang sense of modern politicians and education-mongers. Being so, I am sure that you will sympathize with my case. I am an ill-used man, Dr. North—particularly ill used; and, with your permission, I will briefly explain how. A … [Read more...] about Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts by Thomas de Quincey
Life and Writing by Arthur Christopher Benson
Life and Writing by Arthur Christopher Benson There is a tendency, not by any means among the greater writers, but among what may be called the epigoni,—the satellites of literature, the men who would be great if they knew how,—to speak of the business of writing as if it were a sacred mystery, pontifically celebrated, something remote and secret, which must be guarded from … [Read more...] about Life and Writing by Arthur Christopher Benson
The Poetry of Ezra Pound by T. S. Eliot
EZRA POUND HIS METRIC AND POETRY I "All talk on modern poetry, by people who know," wrote Mr. Carl Sandburg in Poetry, "ends with dragging in Ezra Pound somewhere. He may be named only to be cursed as wanton and mocker, poseur, trifler and vagrant. Or he may be classed as filling a niche today like that of Keats in a preceding epoch. The point is, he will be … [Read more...] about The Poetry of Ezra Pound by T. S. Eliot
Let’s Just Eat the Babies by Jonathan Swift
A MODEST PROPOSAL Dr. Jonathan Swift For preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the publick.1729It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabbin-doors crowded with beggars of … [Read more...] about Let’s Just Eat the Babies by Jonathan Swift
My Thoughts on July by Alice Meynell
One has the leisure of July for perceiving all the differences of the green of leaves. It is no longer a difference in degrees of maturity, for all the trees have darkened to their final tone, and stand in their differences of character and not of mere date. Almost all the green is grave, not sad and not dull. It has a darkened and a daily colour, in majestic but not obvious … [Read more...] about My Thoughts on July by Alice Meynell
William Shakespeare’s Influence by William Dean Howells
William Shakespeare's Influence by William Dean HowellsThe establishment of our paper in the village where there had been none before, and its enlargement from four to eight pages, were events so filling that they left little room for any other excitement but that of getting acquainted with the young people of the village, and going to parties, and sleigh rides, and … [Read more...] about William Shakespeare’s Influence by William Dean Howells
DEATH OF EDGAR A. POE by N. P. Willis
The ancient fable of two antagonistic spirits imprisoned in one body, equally powerful and having the complete mastery by turns-of one man, that is to say, inhabited by both a devil and an angel seems to have been realized, if all we hear is true, in the character of the extraordinary man whose name we have written above. Our own impression of the nature of Edgar A. Poe, … [Read more...] about DEATH OF EDGAR A. POE by N. P. Willis
Mark Twain is a Slob by Willa Cather
Mark Twain is a Slob by Willa CatherIf there is anything which should make an American sick and disgusted at the literary taste of his country, and almost swerve his allegiance to his flag it is that controversy between Mark Twain and Max O’Rell, in which the Frenchman proves himself a wit and a gentleman and the American shows himself little short of a clown and an … [Read more...] about Mark Twain is a Slob by Willa Cather
In Defence of Poetry by Percy Bysshe Shelley
IN DEFENSE OF POETRY from The Best of the World's Classics 1909. The functions of the poetical faculty are twofold; by one it creates new materials of knowledge, and power, and pleasure; by the other it engenders in the mind a desire to Poetry is indeed something divine. It is at once the center and circumference of knowledge; it is that which comprehends all science, and … [Read more...] about In Defence of Poetry by Percy Bysshe Shelley
The Poet an Essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo EmersonTHE POET. A moody child and wildly wise Pursued the game with joyful eyes, Which chose, like meteors, their way, And rived the dark with private ray: They overleapt the horizon's edge, Searched with Apollo's privilege; Through man, and woman, and sea, and star Saw the dance of nature forward far; Through worlds, and races, and terms, and times Saw … [Read more...] about The Poet an Essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson
LITERARY JOURNALS 1881
Here is section on literary journal from the book Curiosities of Literature by Isaac Disraeli The earl of Beaconsfield. The book was published in 1881. We thought it might be interesting to get a 100 year old take on the state and purpose of literary journals.LITERARY JOURNALS.When writers were not numerous, and readers rare, the unsuccessful author fell insensibly … [Read more...] about LITERARY JOURNALS 1881
Robert Louis Stevenson on Style in Literature
"On Some Technical Elements of Style in Literature" from The Art of Writing and Other Essays by Robert Louis StevensonThere is nothing more disenchanting to man than to be shown the springs and mechanism of any art. All our arts and occupations lie wholly on the surface; it is on the surface that we perceive their beauty, fitness, and significance; and to pry below is to … [Read more...] about Robert Louis Stevenson on Style in Literature
Introduction from Short Story Writing
The following is taken from the book Short Story Writing: A Practical Treatise on the Art of the Story Story by Charles Raymond Barrett, Ph. B. (1898) The short story was first recognized as a distinct class of literature in 1842, when Poe's criticism of Hawthorne called attention to the new form of fiction. Short story writing had, however, been practiced for many years … [Read more...] about Introduction from Short Story Writing
