Author: Theodore Ziolkowski
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0191063819
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 252
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Book Description
Unlike most other studies of alchemy and literature, which focus on alchemical imagery in poetry of specific periods or writers, this book traces the figure of the alchemist in Western literature from its first appearance in the Eighth Circle of Dante's Inferno down to the present. From the beginning alchemy has had two aspects: exoteric or operative (the transmutation of baser metals into gold) and esoteric or speculative (the spiritual transformation of the alchemist himself). From Dante to Ben Jonson, during the centuries when the belief in exoteric alchemy was still strong and exploited by many charlatans to deceive the gullible, writers in major works of many literatures treated alchemists with ridicule in an effort to expose their tricks. From the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, as that belief weakened, the figure of the alchemist disappeared, even though Protestant poets in England and Germany were still fond of alchemical images. But when eighteenth-century science almost wholly undermined alchemy, the figure of the alchemist began to emerge again in literature—now as a humanitarian hero or as a spirit striving for sublimation. Following these esoteric romanticizations, as scholarly interest in alchemy intensified, writers were attracted to the figure of the alchemist and his quest for power. The fin-de-siecle saw a further transformation as poets saw in the alchemist a symbol for the poet per se and others, influenced by the prevailing spiritism, as a manifestation of the religious spirit. During the interwar years, as writers sought surrogates for the widespread loss of religious faith, esoteric alchemy underwent a pronounced revival, and many writers turned to the figure of the alchemist as a spiritual model or, in the case of Paracelsus in Germany, as a national figurehead. This tendency, theorized by C. G. Jung in several major studies, inspired after World War II a vast popularization of the figure in novels—historical, set in the present, or juxtaposing past and present— in England, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and the United States. The inevitable result of this popularization was the trivialization of the figure in advertisements for healing and cooking or in articles about scientists and economists. In sum: the figure of the alchemist in literature provides a seismograph for major shifts in intellectual and cultural history.
Author: Paulo Coelho
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062416219
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 166
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Book Description
A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho. Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations. Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.
Author: K. Thomas Baby
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1036403270
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 399
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Book Description
This textbook is the result of the author’s long experience of teaching introductory English literature courses, and the non-availability of a suitable textbook for EFL (English as a foreign language) students. The books currently available in the market are beyond the comprehension level of average EFL students. In order to fill this gap and give a solid foundation to students, the initial chapters of the book deal with important literary terms and a brief history of English literature. In addition, the book provides various types of comprehension questions, focussing on the needs of EFL students. Finally, the book consists of carefully selected materials for the study of fiction, poetry and drama from authors representing different ages of English literature. This compact textbook can be considered as an excellent resource for all EFL students and teachers around the world.
Author: Dr.K.R.Venkatesan
Publisher: Archers & Elevators Publishing House
ISBN: 9386501376
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 314
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Book Description
Author: Joachim Schummer
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9812775846
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 390
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Book Description
Popular associations with chemistry range from poisons, hazards, chemical warfare and environmental pollution to alchemical pseudoscience, sorcery and mad scientists, which gravely affect the public image of science in general. While chemists have merely complained about their public image, social and cultural studies of science have largely avoided anything related to chemistry.This book provides, for the first time, an in-depth understanding of the cultural and historical contexts in which the public image of chemistry has emerged. It argues that this image has been shaped through recurring and unlucky interactions between chemists in popularizing their discipline and nonchemists in expressing their expectations and fears of science. Written by leading scholars from the humanities, social sciences and chemistry in North America, Europe and Australia, this volume explores a blind spot in the science-society relationship and calls for a constructive dialog between scientists and their public.
Author: Henry Duff Traill
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 640
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Book Description
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Literature
Languages : en
Pages : 612
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Book Description
Author: Ellen Crofts
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : England
Languages : en
Pages : 394
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Book Description
Author: Merriam-Webster, Inc
Publisher: Merriam-Webster
ISBN: 9780877790426
Category : Literature
Languages : en
Pages : 1260
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Book Description
Describes authors, works, and literary terms from all eras and all parts of the world.
Author: Anonymous
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 3382813610
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 802
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Book Description
Reprint of the original, first published in 1873. The publishing house Anatiposi publishes historical books as reprints. Due to their age, these books may have missing pages or inferior quality. Our aim is to preserve these books and make them available to the public so that they do not get lost.
