I. L. Peretz and the Making of Modern Jewish Culture

by Ruth R. Wisse

Overview

I. L. Peretz (1852–1915), the father of modern Yiddish literature, was a master storyteller and social critic who advocated a radical shift from religious observance to secular Jewish culture. Wisse explores Peretz’s writings in relation to his ideology, which sought to create a strong Jewish identity separate from the trappings of religion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780295805672
Publisher:	University of Washington Press
Publication date:	07/01/2015
Series:	Samuel and Althea Stroum Lectures in Jewish Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	146
Lexile:	1490L (what's this?)
File size:	981 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Ruth R. Wisse is research professor of Yiddish and comparative literature at Harvard University. She is the author of The Modern Jewish Canon: A Journey through Language and Culture and editor of The I. L. Peretz Reader.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Reason and Faith

2. Nation and Class

3. Hope and Fear

Notes

Index

Editorial Reviews

"Anyone interested in Jewish literature, history, or politics will find Wisse’s scholarly study of Peretz’s life and ideas and her analysis of his stories fascinating reading."

Booklist

"I. L. Peretz and the Making of Modern Jewish Culture is not only about Peretz’s creations, but a key to the understanding and love of Yiddish life in its totality."

The Australian Jewish News

Peretz (1851 or 1852-1915) was one of the major personalities in modern Jewish history and the formative influence on modern Yiddish literature, writing fiction, poetry, drama, and essays. Wisse focuses on the power of his influence by examining his ideas, in particular the way he responded to successive dangers to Jewish survival by conceiving of culture as the dynamic force that would guarantee the internal self-transformation of the Jews into a secular people while warding off the threats of anti-Semitism. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"Wisse adeptly combines literary commentary with biographical and cultural materials. . . . She has made a valuable contribution by reinterpreting Peretz’s literary output in its cultural, political, and historical framework."

Forward

"In her well-written and insightful volume, Ruth Wisse has prepared a masterful examination of Peretz’s thought and achievement. By integrating the story of his life with an extensive analysis of the major themes of his work, Wisse demonstrates Peretz’s influence on the formation of Yiddish literature."

Studies in Religion

I. L. Peretz and the Making of Modern Jewish Culture is not only about Peretz's creations, but a key to the understanding and love of Yiddish life in its totality.

-- "The Australian Jewish News"

Anyone interested in Jewish literature, history, or politics will find Wisse's scholarly study of Peretz's life and ideas and her analysis of his stories fascinating reading.

-- "Booklist"

In her well-written and insightful volume, Ruth Wisse has prepared a masterful examination of Peretz's thought and achievement. By integrating the story of his life with an extensive analysis of the major themes of his work, Wisse demonstrates Peretz's influence on the formation of Yiddish literature.

-- "Studies in Religion"

Wisse adeptly combines literary commentary with biographical and cultural materials. . . . She has made a valuable contribution by reinterpreting Peretz's literary output in its cultural, political, and historical framework.

-- "Forward"

From the Publisher

Anyone interested in Jewish literature, history, or politics will find Wisse’s scholarly study of Peretz’s life and ideas and her analysis of his stories fascinating reading.

Booklist