About the book
Crossing Boundaries focuses on the intellectual and social factors that led to the emergence and first flowering of the German essay. John McCarthy challenges traditional ways of thinking about literature by concentrating on the impact of Enlightenment philosophy, rhetoric, genre theory, and literary life on the evolution of essayistic writing in German.
Taking issue with the commonly held view that the German essay did not evolve until after 1750—and then only under the influence of French and British models—McCarthy argues that Enlightenment skepticism and the social ideas of the galant homme spawned an early native form. Varieties of that form, a kind of writing the author terms \"essayism,\" were pervasive, extending into a variety of genres in the hands of writers such as Leibniz, Lessing, Goethe, Schiller, and Schlegel. He combines in-depth analyses of representative essays with unique adaptations of recent developments in literary theory, intellectual history, literary history, and social history.
McCarthy's argument is centrally concerned with the critical reexamination of the categories of knowledge and of the means of disseminating information that characterized eighteenth-century thought. The essay, an experimental form that crosses boundaries of discipline and genre, is derived from this new emphasis and is the clearest reflection of the dialectic interplay among thinking, writing, and reading. It is also, as such, the genre or mode most closely related to Enlightenment philosophy itself.
Editions of Crossing Boundaries
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780812281484
- PDF
- ISBN 9781512805468
Read an Excerpt
Crossing Boundaries focuses on the intellectual and social factors that led to the emergence and first flowering of the German essay. John McCarthy challenges traditional ways of thinking about literature by concentrating on the impact of Enlightenment philosophy, rhetoric, genre theory, and literary life on the evolution of essayistic writing in German.
Taking issue with the commonly held view that the German essay did not evolve until after 1750—and then only under the influence of French and British models—McCarthy argues that Enlightenment skepticism and the social ideas of the galant homme spawned an early native form. Varieties of that form, a kind of writing the author terms \"essayism,\" were pervasive, extending into a variety of genres in the hands of writers such as Leibniz, Lessing, Goethe, Schiller, and Schlegel. He combines in-depth analyses of representative essays with unique adaptations of recent developments in literary theory, intellectual history, literary history, and social history.
McCarthy's argument is centrally concerned with the critical reexamination of the categories of knowledge and of the means of disseminating information that characterized eighteenth-century thought. The essay, an experimental form that crosses boundaries of discipline and genre, is derived from this new emphasis and is the clearest reflection of the dialectic interplay among thinking, writing, and reading. It is also, as such, the genre or mode most closely related to Enlightenment philosophy itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crossing Boundaries about?
Crossing Boundaries focuses on the intellectual and social factors that led to the emergence and first flowering of the German essay. John McCarthy challenges traditional ways of thinking about literature by concentrating on the impact of Enlightenment philosophy, rhetoric, genre theory, and literary life on the evolution of essayistic writing in German.
Taking issue with the commonly held view that the German essay did not evolve until after 1750—and then only under the influence of French and British models—McCarthy argues that Enlightenment skepticism and the social ideas of the galant homme spawned an early native form. Varieties of that form, a kind of writing the author terms \"essayism,\" were pervasive, extending into a variety of genres in the hands of writers such as Leibniz, Lessing, Goethe, Schiller, and Schlegel. He combines in-depth analyses of representative essays with unique adaptations of recent developments in literary theory, intellectual history, literary history, and social history.
McCarthy's argument is centrally concerned with the critical reexamination of the categories of knowledge and of the means of disseminating information that characterized eighteenth-century thought. The essay, an experimental form that crosses boundaries of discipline and genre, is derived from this new emphasis and is the clearest reflection of the dialectic interplay among thinking, writing, and reading. It is also, as such, the genre or mode most closely related to Enlightenment philosophy itself.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Crossing Boundaries?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism
Where can I read a sample of Crossing Boundaries?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780812281484
How long is Crossing Boundaries and how many pages does it have?
Crossing Boundaries has 360 page(s)
Is Crossing Boundaries part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Anniversary Collection
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Crossing Boundaries?
John A. McCarthy
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Crossing Boundaries is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780812281484) and pdf(ISBN 9781512805468)
Where can I buy Crossing Boundaries online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Crossing Boundaries from below
Where can I buy Crossing Boundaries?