A pioneering work, ... this index is a veritable who's who of the greats of Western literature... The Board recommends it for every collection whose users conduct analytical studies of literature. Reference Books Bulletin This is a major encyclopedia for comparative literature and, secondarily, the history of ideas... This ambitious new source, unique in English, is important for any four-year college library. Library Journal
Preface Introduction Entries Cross-Index to Themes and Motifs
JEAN-CHARLES SEIGNEURET is Professor of Romance Languages and Literature at the University of Cincinnati. He has published a number of articles on French literature, culture, and philolgy, as well as professional concerns.
A. OWEN ALDRIDGE is Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Illinois.
ARMIN ARNOLD is Auxiliary Professor of German at McGill University, Montreal, and Dozent of Hohere Wirtschafts-und Verwaltungsschule in Osten, Switzerland.
PETER H. LEE is Professor of Korean and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Los Angeles.
?. . . College students and advanced literary researchers alike,
particularly those whose investigations conincide with one of the
topics treated or who are approaching a much-examined subject for
the first time, may expect to find much useful information here.
This is most likely to be the case, too, if one is seeking data of
a comparative or historical nature, as opposed to full treatment of
a theme in a single literary work. Much needed, the Dictionary of
Literary Themes and Motifs will doubtless find its way onto the
shelves of the major college and university libraries in this
country. This is as it should be.?-The Modern Language Journal
?This index is a veritable who's who of the greats of Western
literature. The Dictionary of Literary Themes and Motifs offers
insightful, scholarly expositions of the development of many
enduring themes, both major and a selection of minor (and sometimes
relatively ephemeral) ones recurring in world literature. The Board
recommends it for every collection whose users conduct analytical
studies of literature.?-Reference Books Bulletin
?This is a major encyclopedia for comparative literature and,
secondarily, the history of ideas. Coming from 98 contributors, the
143 articles vary widely in scope and method. But a typical entry,
running about ten pages and including a bibliography of three or
four sources, traces literary themes through different times and
places; more specialized articles describe genres or literary
movements. . . . This ambitious new source unique in English, is
important for any four year college library." Library Journal "This
ambitious Dictionary must be considered a pioneering work. . . . A
problem of definition vexes the field, compounded first by the
efforts of scholars working in various languages and traditions to
differentiate themes from motifs, and second by the need to
translate these efforts into other language without sacrificing a
nuance or distorting meaning. In the Dictionary's introduction,
Francois Jost, professor of comparative literature and French at
the University of Illinois, delineates the subtle distinction
between the two concepts. Both prudent reference librarians and
users of these volumes will read the introducton carefully, for an
understanding of this essay will enhance their reading of the 143
that follow. . . . The Dictionary arranges its articles
alphabetically. A Cross-Index' following the final article in the
second volume lists key words for terms used in entry titles as
well as alternate or subsidiary terms' and refers to the term used
as an entry. For example, this index leads from Bridge to
Afterlife; from Contemplation to Retreat; from Space to Science,
Time, Travel; and from Vagabond to Picaresque. Since most themes
and motifs are inherently broad, thisindex is indispensible. . . .
The authors approach their subjects from a variety of perspectives,
some incorporating psychoanalysis, linguistics, theology,
anthropology, and other disciplines. They generally cite and
frequently develop their topics historically, often from ancient
times. Most of the examples of a theme's use or development derive
from the canon of Western literature. Within this body of
literature, most of the authors demonstrate broad knowledge. Each
of the signed articles conclude with see also references to other
articles and a brief bibliography, generally limited to about five
items, most of which are in English. A general index follows the
Cross-Index.' It lists authors cited in the articles; individual
works cited are listed under each author. This index is a veritable
who's who of the greats of Western literature. The Dictionary of
Literary Themes and Motifs offers insightful scholarly expositions
of the development of many enduring themes, both major and a
selection of minor (and sometimes relatively ephemeral) ones
recurring in world literature. The Board recommends it for every
collecton whose users conduct analytical studies of
literature.?-Reference Books Bulletin
." . . College students and advanced literary researchers alike,
particularly those whose investigations conincide with one of the
topics treated or who are approaching a much-examined subject for
the first time, may expect to find much useful information here.
This is most likely to be the case, too, if one is seeking data of
a comparative or historical nature, as opposed to full treatment of
a theme in a single literary work. Much needed, the Dictionary of
Literary Themes and Motifs will doubtless find its way onto the
shelves of the major college and university libraries in this
country. This is as it should be."-The Modern Language Journal
"This index is a veritable who's who of the greats of Western
literature. The Dictionary of Literary Themes and Motifs offers
insightful, scholarly expositions of the development of many
enduring themes, both major and a selection of minor (and sometimes
relatively ephemeral) ones recurring in world literature. The Board
recommends it for every collection whose users conduct analytical
studies of literature."-Reference Books Bulletin
"This is a major encyclopedia for comparative literature and,
secondarily, the history of ideas. Coming from 98 contributors, the
143 articles vary widely in scope and method. But a typical entry,
running about ten pages and including a bibliography of three or
four sources, traces literary themes through different times and
places; more specialized articles describe genres or literary
movements. . . . This ambitious new source unique in English, is
important for any four year college library." Library Journal "This
ambitious Dictionary must be considered a pioneering work. . . . A
problem of definition vexes the field, compounded first by the
efforts of scholars working in various languages and traditions to
differentiate themes from motifs, and second by the need to
translate these efforts into other language without sacrificing a
nuance or distorting meaning. In the Dictionary's introduction,
Francois Jost, professor of comparative literature and French at
the University of Illinois, delineates the subtle distinction
between the two concepts. Both prudent reference librarians and
users of these volumes will read the introducton carefully, for an
understanding of this essay will enhance their reading of the 143
that follow. . . . The Dictionary arranges its articles
alphabetically. A Cross-Index' following the final article in the
second volume lists key words for terms used in entry titles as
well as alternate or subsidiary terms' and refers to the term used
as an entry. For example, this index leads from Bridge to
Afterlife; from Contemplation to Retreat; from Space to Science,
Time, Travel; and from Vagabond to Picaresque. Since most themes
and motifs are inherently broad, thisindex is indispensible. . . .
The authors approach their subjects from a variety of perspectives,
some incorporating psychoanalysis, linguistics, theology,
anthropology, and other disciplines. They generally cite and
frequently develop their topics historically, often from ancient
times. Most of the examples of a theme's use or development derive
from the canon of Western literature. Within this body of
literature, most of the authors demonstrate broad knowledge. Each
of the signed articles conclude with see also references to other
articles and a brief bibliography, generally limited to about five
items, most of which are in English. A general index follows the
Cross-Index.' It lists authors cited in the articles; individual
works cited are listed under each author. This index is a veritable
who's who of the greats of Western literature. The Dictionary of
Literary Themes and Motifs offers insightful scholarly expositions
of the development of many enduring themes, both major and a
selection of minor (and sometimes relatively ephemeral) ones
recurring in world literature. The Board recommends it for every
collecton whose users conduct analytical studies of
literature."-Reference Books Bulletin
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