Tennyson

by G. K. Chesterton

Overview

Excerpt: "It was merely the accident of his hour, the call of his age, which made Tennyson a philosophic poet. He was naturally not only a pure lover of beauty, but a pure lover of beauty in a much more peculiar and distinguished sense even than a man like Keats, or a man like Robert Bridges. He gave us scenes of Nature that cannot easily be surpassed, but he chose them like a landscape painter rather than like a religious poet. Above all, he exhibited his abstract love of the beautiful in one most personal and characteristic fact. He was never so successful or so triumphant as when he was describing not Nature, but art. He could describe a statue as Shelley could describe a cloud. He was at his very best in describing buildings, in their blending of aspiration and exactitude. He found to perfection the harmony between the rhythmic recurrences of poetry and the rhythmic recurrences of architecture."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783985311675
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	07/31/2021
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	76
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) was a towering figure in early 20th-century literature, known for his wit, paradoxes, and prolific output across genres. Born in London, Chesterton's career spanned journalism, poetry, biography, and fiction, making him a versatile and influential voice. His detective stories featuring the unassuming Father Brown remain beloved for their clever plots and moral depth.Chesterton's work often explored themes of faith, reason, and social justice, reflecting his conversion to Catholicism in 1922. This shift deeply influenced his writing, infusing it with a sense of spiritual quest and ethical inquiry. He was a staunch critic of materialism and modernity, championing instead the values of tradition and community.Controversially, Chesterton's views on nationalism and his criticisms of certain political ideologies have sparked debate. His writings on distributism—a socio-economic theory advocating for widespread property ownership—were revolutionary, influencing contemporary thinkers and later movements.Chesterton's friendships with literary giants like George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells, despite their ideological differences, underscore his role in the vibrant intellectual debates of his time. His ability to engage with opposing viewpoints with humor and respect remains a model for civil discourse today.Modern readers find Chesterton's work compelling not only for its literary merit but also for its relevance to ongoing discussions about faith, society, and the human condition. His legacy endures through his profound insights, sharp wit, and unwavering commitment to exploring life's paradoxes.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton KC*SG (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936) was an English writer, philosopher, lay theologian, and literary and art critic. He has been referred to as the "prince of paradox". Time magazine observed of his writing style: "Whenever possible Chesterton made his points with popular sayings, proverbs, allegories—first carefully turning them inside out." Chesterton created the fictional priest-detective Father Brown, and wrote on apologetics. Even some of those who disagree with him have recognised the wide appeal of such works as Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man. Chesterton routinely referred to himself as an "orthodox" Christian, and came to identify this position more and more with Catholicism, eventually converting to Catholicism from High Church Anglicanism. Biographers have identified him as a successor to such Victorian authors as Matthew Arnold, Thomas Carlyle, John Henry Newman, and John Ruskin.