This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ... III. REALITY AND REALISM Twenty years ago the terms realism and romanticism brought to mind such a contrast as that between The Rise of Silas Lapham and The Prisoner of Zenda. Two decades of controversial usage have so distorted the original connotations that these words are now more suggestive of the ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ... III. REALITY AND REALISM Twenty years ago the terms realism and romanticism brought to mind such a contrast as that between The Rise of Silas Lapham and The Prisoner of Zenda. Two decades of controversial usage have so distorted the original connotations that these words are now more suggestive of the distinction between Maxim Gorky and Zane Grey. Underlying this change is an apparently simple reasoning. Realism deals with real life; real life is sordid, vile and tragic. Therefore, whatever is sordid, vile and tragic (and nothing else) is realism. The fallacy is plain enough. The minor premise is true; but it is only a portion of the truth. The aspect of life which is not tragedy is none the less fit material for realistic portrayal. One does not need to deny that life is sordid. It is enough to show that it is not always sordid. The accurate picture will show light as well as darkness. Nay, even light itself need not exist. A mere belief in it makes it necessary to the picture. The ability to conceive of light negatives utter darkness, and the continued existence of but a single optimist disproves pessimism. De Morgan by his life no less than by his novels controverts the modern pessimistic obsession. That a man can live to sixty-five years, experiencing ill-health, bereavement and long struggle with adverse conditions, and yet retain a sound and cheerful outlook upon life and a sympathetic belief in his fellows, is a fact of profound significance. The cynic will deny that there is reason for his attitude. He tells us the sympathy is blinded, the cheerfulness indefensible. But reasonable or not, the attitude exists, and in its mere existence refutes its critics. Decry the optimist as you will, you can not absolutely deny him. Happiness may be...
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Hardcover. 400cc. 72pp. Very good in publisher's cloth backed boards with title label affixed to the front. Inscribed and signed by Seymour on the front free endpaper.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. 1920. Half cloth and paper covered boards with title label. 8vo. 72 pp. From a limited printing of 400 copies. Moderate shelf wear and scuffing to boards. Bookplates to front pastedown. Altogether a copy in Very Good condition. (Subject: Literary Criticism. )
![William De Morgan: a Post-Victorian Realist [ 1920 ]](https://www4.alibris-static.com/isbn/9780217149518_t.gif)
