F.O. Matthiessen: Christian Socialist as Critic

Matthiessen succeeded in uniting critical formalism with political radicalism, Christian concerns with social egalitarianism, to make a major contribution to American literature and culture. As a major literary critic and distinguished teacher, his extraordinary output of critical works constitutes a crucial part of American intellectual development. Stern’s compassionate study reveals now Matthiessen synthesized the opposing forces in his own ideas to interpret the art of literature.

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