000 02267cam a22003133u 4500
001 3377
003 UtSlPG
005 20260610133111.0
006 m
007 cr n
008 260607r2004||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d
040 _aUtSlPG
041 7 _aen
_2iso639-1
050 4 _aPS
100 1 _aHowells, William Dean,
_d1837-1920
245 1 0 _aCriticism and Fiction
264 1 _aSalt Lake City, UT :
_bProject Gutenberg,
_c2004
300 _a1 online resource :
_bmultiple file formats
336 _atext
_btxt
_2rdacontent
337 _acomputer
_bc
_2rdamedia
338 _aonline resource
_bcr
_2rdacarrier
500 _aRelease date is 2004-10-22
508 _aProduced by David Widger
520 _a"Criticism and Fiction" by William Dean Howells is a critical examination of literary theory and aesthetics, written during the late 19th century. This text delves into the relationship between art and the appreciation of literature, posing essential questions regarding the criteria for evaluating artistic merit in a world where tastes and fashions are ever-changing. The author discusses how true beauty and goodness lie in the unpretentious and sincere, and he advocates for literature that faithfully reflects life over that which conforms to established ideals. The beginning of "Criticism and Fiction" explores the themes of changing tastes in art and literature, using the works of historical figures such as John Addington Symonds and Edmund Burke to illustrate its arguments. Howells reflects on the superficial nature of popular fashions, emphasizing the importance of truth and simplicity in artistic expression. He critiques prevailing literary standards that often favor romanticized or idealized portrayals of life while advocating for a realism that mirrors true human experience. Throughout this opening section, Howells establishes his standpoint that the most meaningful art stems from an honest representation of life rather than the pursuit of artificial perfection or adherence to outdated conventions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
534 _nOriginal publication data not identified
653 _aCriticism
653 _aFiction -- History and criticism
856 4 0 _uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3377
999 _c45448
_d45448