Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.
The "world of letters" has always seemed a matter more of metaphor than of global reality. In this book, Pascale Casanova shows us the state of world literature behind the stylistic refinements--a world of letters relatively independent from economic and political realms, and in which language systems, aesthetic orders, and genres struggle for dominance. Rejecting facile talk of globalization, with its suggestion of a happy literary "melting pot," Casanova exposes an emerging regime of inequality in the world of letters, where minor languages and literatures are subject to the invisible but implacable violence of their dominant counterparts. Inspired by the writings of Fernand Braudel and Pierre Bourdieu, this ambitious book develops the first systematic model for understanding the production, circulation, and valuing of literature worldwide. Casanova proposes a baseline from which we might measure the newness and modernity of the world of letters--the literary equivalent of the meridian at Greenwich. She argues for the importance of literary capital and its role in giving value and legitimacy to nations in their incessant struggle for international power. Within her overarching theory, Casanova locates three main periods in the genesis of world literature--Latin, French, and German--and closely examines three towering figures in the world republic of letters--Kafka, Joyce, and Faulkner. Her work provides a rich and surprising view of the political struggles of our modern world--one framed by sites of publication, circulation, translation, and efforts at literary annexation.
Like Alexis de Tocqueville a century earlier, Jean Cocteau offers a powerful reminder to Americans of their own potential—and issues In 1949, Jean Cocteau spent twenty days in New York, and began composing on the plane ride home this essay filled with the vivid impressions of his trip. With his unmistakable prose and graceful wit, he compares and contrasts French and American culture: the different values they place on art, literature, liberty, psychology, and dreams. Cocteau sees the incredibly buoyant hopes in America’s promise, while at the same time warning of the many ills that the nation will have to confront—its hypocrisy, sexism, racism, and hegemonic aspirations—in order to realize this potential. Never before translated into English, Letter to the Americans remains as timely and urgent as when it was first published in France over seventy years ago.
Harvard's Classics Collection: Complete 71 Volumes is a monumental anthology that serves as a comprehensive survey of the foundational texts and figures that have shaped Western literature and thought. This collection spans millennia, encompassing works from ancient Greece to the Enlightenment, and up through the 19th century, showcasing a diverse range of literary styles, including poetry, philosophy, fiction, and scientific discourse. The inclusion of seminal works by figures such as Dante Alighieri, William Shakespeare, Plato, and Charles Darwin, amongst others, highlights the anthologys breadth and depth, offering readers an unparalleled insight into the various currents that have influenced Western cultural and intellectual history. The contributing authors and editors of this collection are each luminary in their own right, having left indelible marks on their respective fields. This anthology not only collates works by philosophers, scientists, and literary giants but also orchestrates a dialogue among them, offering a unique multidisciplinary perspective. The collection navigates through Renaissance humanism, the Enlightenments valorization of reason, and the romantic eras emphasis on individual emotion and natural beauty, painting a rich historical and cultural panorama. Through their collective works, this anthology encapsulates the essence of human thought and its evolution over the centuries. Harvards Classics Collection: Complete 71 Volumes is an essential resource for those looking to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of human knowledge and creativity. Whether for scholarly research, educational pursuits, or personal enrichment, this collection offers an unmatched opportunity to engage with the texts that have served as cornerstones of Western culture. Readers are invited to explore this treasure trove of human experience, thought, and expression, which continues to enlighten, instruct, and inspire generations.