Title
Sinful Self, Saintly Self: The Puritan Experience of Poetry,Used
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Sinful Self, Saintly Self is a comprehensive study of early New England verse in light of Puritan notions regarding the nature and uses of poetry. Through a new historical reading of three major Puritan poets Michael Wigglesworth, Anne Bradstreet, and Edward Taylor Jeffrey Hammond reconstructs this aesthetic framework using Puritan theology, artistic and exegetical traditions deriving from the Bible, and Puritan assumptions about the psychology of the saved soul.Despite the current resurgence of interest in early American literature, Puritan poetry remains only dimly understood and appreciated. With the exception of Edward Taylor's Preparatory Meditations and Anne Bradstreet's personal lyrics, it is often viewed as a poetry of gloom and doctrine rather than of affirmation and inspiration. In reconstructing the Puritan experience of poetry, Hammond argues that this widespread view reflects a persistent tendency to approach these poems from a modern perspective.The contemporary critical bias against didactic and conventional writing has made Bradstreet and Taylor seem to be the only Puritan poets worth reading. The most popular poet of the era, Michael Wigglesworth, author of the infamous Day of Doom, remains virtually ignored because of this bias. Moreover, Bradstreet and Taylor are often interpreted and assessed in terms of the poetic preferences of the modern reader.Hammond contends that by understanding how Puritans felt when they wrote and read verse, modern readers can appreciate these writings on their own terms. 'There was a Puritan way of reading,' he maintains, 'and it was not like ours. . . . Puritans were not merely content with their poetry but seem to have delighted in its didacticism and conventionality the very qualities that distance the texts from us.'Sinful Self, Saintly Self provides an important corrective to anachronistic interpretations and allows contemporary readers to confront the 'otherness' of Puritan poetry. By historicizing the experience of seventeenthcentury New England verse, Hammond argues for the interpretation of older writings in their cultural and psychological contexts.
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- Q: What is the main focus of 'Sinful Self, Saintly Self'? A: 'Sinful Self, Saintly Self' is a comprehensive study that examines early New England poetry through the lens of Puritan beliefs about poetry, exploring works by major Puritan poets such as Michael Wigglesworth, Anne Bradstreet, and Edward Taylor.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The book is authored by Jeffrey A. Hammond.
- Q: What is the publication date of this book? A: 'Sinful Self, Saintly Self' was published on January 1, 1993.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains a total of 320 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does 'Sinful Self, Saintly Self' have? A: This book is published in hardcover binding.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The book is listed as being in 'Very Good' condition.
- Q: What is the significance of Puritan poetry according to the author? A: The author argues that Puritan poetry has often been misunderstood and viewed through a modern lens, and he emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context in which these poems were written.
- Q: Is this book suitable for someone studying American literature? A: Yes, this book is suitable for anyone studying American literature, particularly those interested in early American poetry and Puritan cultural influences.
- Q: What are the main themes explored in the book? A: The book explores themes of didacticism, the aesthetic experience of poetry among Puritans, and the cultural and psychological contexts of the seventeenth century.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: This is the First Edition of 'Sinful Self, Saintly Self'.