The Masters Of Modern French Criticism (1912)

The Masters of Modern French Criticism, written by Irving Babbitt and published in 1912, is a comprehensive study of French literary criticism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The book focuses on the works of four influential critics: Sainte-Beuve, Taine, Renan, and Bruneti�����re. Babbitt examines the critical theories and methods of each of these writers, discussing their contributions to the development of French literary criticism. He also provides detailed analyses of their writings, exploring their interpretations of various literary works and their views on the role of literature in society. The book is divided into four sections, each dedicated to one of the four critics. Babbitt begins by discussing Sainte-Beuve, who is credited with revolutionizing literary criticism by emphasizing the importance of the author's personal experience and biography in the interpretation of their works. He then moves on to Taine, who developed a scientific approach to literary criticism, focusing on the social and historical context in which a work was written. Renan is the subject of the third section, and Babbitt examines his views on the relationship between literature and religion, as well as his ideas about the role of the critic in society. Finally, Babbitt discusses Bruneti�����re, who believed that literature should serve a moral purpose and that the critic's job was to uphold traditional values and standards.Overall, The Masters of Modern French Criticism is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and development of literary criticism, as well as French literature and culture. Babbitt's thorough analysis of these four influential critics provides insight into the evolution of critical theory and its impact on the literary landscape of France and beyond.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.