Esther J. Trimble
Published: 2019-01-05
Total Pages: 388
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Excerpt from A Short Course in Literature, English and American: For the Use of Schools and Academies The plan of the work is, in the main, the same as that adopted in the larger work. The same historic sketches are retained, with glimpses of the manners and customs of each successive period: letting the writers themselves, when practicable, present the age and body of the time. It is impossible, indeed, to appreciate the literature of any period without some knowledge of the every-day life of the people. This knowledge is necessary as a basis to the study of litera ture, in order that the pupil may have a clear id ea of a writer's relation to the times in which he lives. To know something, also, of an author's life enhances the interest in his writings, and is important to a full appreciation of them. The study of literature is the study of the works of authors, and not the study of criticisms of their works. For the pupil to repeat the judgment of others, without any knowledge for himself, is worse than useless. He needs to read from the author, to think, judge, appreciate, and enjoy for himself. First the taste - the love for literature - must be acquired be fore any appreciative criticism can be given. Let the pupil read poetry aloud, or have it read to him until the harmony of the numbers, or the beauty of the sentiment, fills his soul. This will be more cultivating to him than pages of criticisms which he may learn. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.