The Wound and the Bow: Seven Studies in Literature
In this classic work, “the greatest literary critic of the 20th century” probes the lives and works of seven great writers (New York Magazine).

Combining biographical and critical sketches, Edmund Wilson searches for the wellspring of artistic genius in this series of seven essays. His wide-ranging subjects include Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, Edith Wharton, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Jacques Casanova, and Sophocles.

The first two studies, of Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling, reveal how in each case an unhappy childhood later resulted in mature artistic works. Expanding on this theme in succeeding chapters, Wilson captures the essence of his thesis in the mythical story of Philoctetes, as recounted in the final essay.

The legendary Greek archer was bitten by snake and then afflicted with an incurable, malodorous wound that would not heal. After first being banished, the injured hero was later sought out by his fellow warriors for his prowess with a magic bow, and his skill was ultimately key to the Greek victory at Troy.

“In the best tradition of literary criticism . . . combines exact information with shrewd and searching penetration into the personal life of the artist.” —The New York Times
1114857897
The Wound and the Bow: Seven Studies in Literature
In this classic work, “the greatest literary critic of the 20th century” probes the lives and works of seven great writers (New York Magazine).

Combining biographical and critical sketches, Edmund Wilson searches for the wellspring of artistic genius in this series of seven essays. His wide-ranging subjects include Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, Edith Wharton, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Jacques Casanova, and Sophocles.

The first two studies, of Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling, reveal how in each case an unhappy childhood later resulted in mature artistic works. Expanding on this theme in succeeding chapters, Wilson captures the essence of his thesis in the mythical story of Philoctetes, as recounted in the final essay.

The legendary Greek archer was bitten by snake and then afflicted with an incurable, malodorous wound that would not heal. After first being banished, the injured hero was later sought out by his fellow warriors for his prowess with a magic bow, and his skill was ultimately key to the Greek victory at Troy.

“In the best tradition of literary criticism . . . combines exact information with shrewd and searching penetration into the personal life of the artist.” —The New York Times
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The Wound and the Bow: Seven Studies in Literature

The Wound and the Bow: Seven Studies in Literature

by Edmund Wilson
The Wound and the Bow: Seven Studies in Literature

The Wound and the Bow: Seven Studies in Literature

by Edmund Wilson

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Overview

In this classic work, “the greatest literary critic of the 20th century” probes the lives and works of seven great writers (New York Magazine).

Combining biographical and critical sketches, Edmund Wilson searches for the wellspring of artistic genius in this series of seven essays. His wide-ranging subjects include Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, Edith Wharton, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Jacques Casanova, and Sophocles.

The first two studies, of Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling, reveal how in each case an unhappy childhood later resulted in mature artistic works. Expanding on this theme in succeeding chapters, Wilson captures the essence of his thesis in the mythical story of Philoctetes, as recounted in the final essay.

The legendary Greek archer was bitten by snake and then afflicted with an incurable, malodorous wound that would not heal. After first being banished, the injured hero was later sought out by his fellow warriors for his prowess with a magic bow, and his skill was ultimately key to the Greek victory at Troy.

“In the best tradition of literary criticism . . . combines exact information with shrewd and searching penetration into the personal life of the artist.” —The New York Times

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781466899612
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date: 05/01/2024
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 266
File size: 1 MB

About the Author

Edmund Wilson (1895-1972) was a novelist, memoirist, playwright, journalist, poet, and editor but it is as a literary critic that he is most highly regarded. His more than twenty books include Axel’s Castle, Patriotic Gore, To the Finland Station, and Memoirs of Hecate County.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Dickens: The Two Scrooges

The Kipling that Nobody Read

Uncomfortable Casanova

Justice to Edith Wharton

Hemingway: Gauge of Morale

The Dream of H. C. Earwicker

Philoctetes: The Wound and the Bow

What People are Saying About This

Isaiah Berlin

I think Edmund had an insight into books, into writers, and into social circumstances, the effect of both education and environment, and had ethical, critical views on writers deeper than those of any other contemporary critic....Wilson was a very good writer. And he was serious. It's difficult to convey what the word serious means, but he was serious. He was the opposite of smart, the opposite of frivolous, the opposite of amusing, the opposite of brilliant. He was none of those things, simply a serious critic, of the first order. And of them, there are not many in the history of literature.

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