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Beyond Culture: Essays on Literature and Learning
In essays on education, literature, and psychoanalysis, Trilling addresses himself to the assumptions made by those who define themselves in terms of their relation to the ideals of social and political progress
204 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 1968
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About the author
Lionel Trilling
92Ìýbooks112ÌýfollowersLionel Mordecai Trilling was an American literary critic, short story writer, essayist, and teacher. He was one of the leading U.S. critics of the 20th century who analyzed the contemporary cultural, social, and political implications of literature. With his wife Diana Trilling (née Rubin), whom he married in 1929, he was a member of the New York Intellectuals and contributor to the Partisan Review.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 1, 2017
"Compare Yeats, Gide, Lawrence, and Eliot in the use which they make of the theme of sexuality to criticize the deficiencies of modern culture. Support your statement by specific references to the work of each author. [Time: one hour.]"
There comes a time in every man's life when he is saddened to realize that undergrads at Columbia fifty years ago knew more than he does at thirty. Or possibly not, I don't really get out much. (But who is this guy Gide?)
Anyway, this is a nice collection of essays by Trilling: the one on Jane Austen is fantastic, "Hawthorne in Our Time" is interesting and memorable. The two best, however, for me and for anyone else who teaches English, are the bracketing essays on teaching, "On the Teaching of Modern Literature" and "The Two Environments: Reflections on the Study of English." The latter should be required reading for everyone who is going to begin teaching the subject. If I'm ever in a place in which I'm hiring others, for certain disciplines there is going to be a question on the application: "How do you respond to Lionel Trilling's theory of the 'two environments' in culture? What, in general, is your view of literature's utility for young people? [Time: one hour.]"
There comes a time in every man's life when he is saddened to realize that undergrads at Columbia fifty years ago knew more than he does at thirty. Or possibly not, I don't really get out much. (But who is this guy Gide?)
Anyway, this is a nice collection of essays by Trilling: the one on Jane Austen is fantastic, "Hawthorne in Our Time" is interesting and memorable. The two best, however, for me and for anyone else who teaches English, are the bracketing essays on teaching, "On the Teaching of Modern Literature" and "The Two Environments: Reflections on the Study of English." The latter should be required reading for everyone who is going to begin teaching the subject. If I'm ever in a place in which I'm hiring others, for certain disciplines there is going to be a question on the application: "How do you respond to Lionel Trilling's theory of the 'two environments' in culture? What, in general, is your view of literature's utility for young people? [Time: one hour.]"
August 5, 2007
A book of amazing essays by my main man Lionel Trilling.
November 25, 2018
This is really dense stuff. I would only recommend this if you're familiar with the works mentioned to really get the best experience. I had a very hard time understanding or appreciating his critiques without understanding or having opinions of my own of the pieces he wrote about. On the other hand there is a type of irreverance, perhaps even worship of literature I found charming and fascinating. He spoke of works as if they were Gods and reading were an act of prayer that- with enough- would be answered just perhaps. It was a joy to listen to someone toss and turn over minute details or potential interpretations. I think if academics bore you and appear to talk in circles then this book is most certainly not for you.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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