Details

Subject(s)

• Surprise in literature [Browse]
• American literature—20th century—History and criticism [Browse]

Series

Cambridge studies in American literature and culture ; 180. [More in this series]

Summary note

Practices of Surprise in American Literature after Emerson' locates a paradoxical question - how does one prepare to be surprised? - at the heart of several major modernist texts. Arguing that this paradox of perception gives rise to an American literary methodology, this book dramatically reframes how practices of reading and writing evolved among modernist authors after Emerson. Whereas Walter Benjamin defines modernity as a 'series of shocks' inflicted from without, Emerson offers a countervailing optic that regards life as a 'series of surprises' unfolding from within. While Benjaminian shock elicits intimidation and defensiveness, Emersonian surprise fosters states of responsiveness and spontaneity whereby unexpected encounters become generative rather than enervating.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references (pages 180-236) and index.

ISBN

• 1108426875 ((hardcover))
• 9781108426879 ((hardcover)

OCLC

1022077507

Statement on language in description

Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...