American Criticism

'American Criticism: Studies in Literary Theory From Poe to the Present' provides a comprehensive examination of the development of literary standards in the United States. Author Norman Foerster explores the foundational principles that have shaped American letters, tracing the evolution of critical thought through the works of key figures such as Edgar Allan Poe, Ralph Waldo Emerson, James Russell Lowell, and Walt Whitman. By analyzing these pivotal authors, Foerster seeks to define the essential character of American aesthetic theory and its relationship to broader cultural movements.The work delves into the transition from Romanticism to the emerging modern sensibilities of the early 20th century. Foerster evaluates how these writers balanced artistic creation with ethical and intellectual frameworks, seeking to establish a coherent American tradition in literary evaluation. Readers will find deep insights into the philosophical underpinnings of 'The Poetic Principle' and the transcendentalist influences on critical judgment. 'American Criticism' remains an essential resource for scholars and students of American literature, offering a rigorous look at the theories that defined a nation’s literary identity during its most formative periods.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.