Description
Book SynopsisElisa New presents a major revision of the accepted account of Emerson as the source of the American poetic tradition. New challenges the view that Emerson not only overthrew New England religious orthodoxy but founded a poetic tradition that fundamentally renounced that orthodoxy in favour of a secular, Romantic approach.
Trade Review"...[a] superb first book...New's readings are rigorous and rewarding." Lee Oser, The New England Quarterly
"The Regenerate Lyric makes the strongest case for the Puritan view since Pearce." Modern Philology
"The Regenerate Lyric is an exciting debut. Well-read, and closely argued, it will be of interest for poets, critics, theologians, and historians alike." Matthew Cooperman, American Studies International
Table of ContentsIntroduction; Part I: 1. An original relation: Taylor and Emerson; 2. Poetics and the poem: Emerson; 3. The savage source: Emerson and Stevens; Part II: 4. Crossing Leviticus: Whitman; 5. Beyond circumference: Dickinson; 6. Hand of fire: Crane; Epilogue. The regenerate lyric: Lowell and Frost.
