The Mirror And The Lamp (1918)

The Mirror and the Lamp is a book written by William Babington Maxwell and published in 1918. It is a collection of essays that explore the relationship between literature and life. The title of the book refers to the two different ways in which literature can be approached: as a reflection of reality (the mirror) or as a source of illumination (the lamp). Maxwell argues that literature is not simply a mirror that reflects reality, but rather a lamp that illuminates it. He suggests that literature has the power to reveal truths about the human experience that cannot be expressed in any other way. The essays in the book cover a wide range of topics, including the role of the artist in society, the nature of creativity, and the importance of imagination. Maxwell draws on examples from literature, philosophy, and history to support his arguments. He discusses the works of Shakespeare, Dante, and Milton, among others, and explores the ways in which they have illuminated the human experience. He also examines the ideas of philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle and shows how they have influenced the way we think about literature. Overall, The Mirror and the Lamp is a thought-provoking book that challenges readers to think deeply about the nature of literature and its role in our lives. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the relationship between art and life.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.