Annotated Bibliography of Thomas Traherne Criticism, 1900-2003

"This comprehensive, fully annotated enumerative bibliography of critical studies of the life and works of Thomas Traherne will provide scholars, critics, and students of this often enigmatic seventeenth-century writer with an immensely useful research tool. It will be helpful also to those interested in early modern English poetry and prose in general and in English intellectual history ... The compiler has wisely chosen to make annotations in this bibliography descriptive rather than evaluative, since he recognizes that what one scholar or critic may find useful may not be equally significant to another ... The bibliography makes clear that critics of the past have not reached anything like a consensus about the meaning and importance of Traherne’s poetry and prose. Perhaps they never will. But this important research tool surely will serve to stimulate even more interest among critics of this fascinating seventeenth-century writer." – (from the Commendatory Foreword) John R. Roberts, Professor Emeritus of English, University of Missouri-Columbia

“One of the most rewarding things about this meticulously assembled bibliography of Traherne criticism is that the reader can easily follow the evolution of scholarship on the poet and prose writer ... Major works receive fuller treatment, but all the entries are scrupulously non-judgmental ... there are useful lists of unpublished dissertations and primary texts both those in print and those still in manuscript ... Finally there is an author index, and even more important, a comprehensive subject index which makes it possible to trace quickly the entire critical history of an idea or theme. This is one of those solid, useful books that will serve Traherne scholars for years to come." – Robert M. Cooper, Professor of English, McNeese State University

" ... The author has cast his net widely and extensively documented articles, notes, and chapters in longer studies, along with books on Traherne ... The author’s journeyman labors have resulted in a comprehensive overview of this highly original writer that sets the stage for a second century of Traherne studies. His book will assist students of the late Renaissance/Restoration in taking stock of Traherne’s place in the canon ... Even Traherne specialists are bound to find material in the bibliography that has eluded them or that they will want to revisit ..." – James J. Balakier, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of South Dakota

“Dr. Blevins’s collection is so heartening because it urges us to reread Traherne—to rediscover his work. In his short and dense introduction, Dr. Blevins hits the nail on the head when he explains why Traherne has not been able to make his way into modern critical theory: “[U]nless Traherne is viewed in light of modem critical trends his longevity is probably threatened” (xv). How true, but how sad, too, that genius such as Traherne’s will have to adapt itself to modern trends in order to be recognized and studied, rather than the other way around. Quite successfully, Dr. Blevins’s collection shows how we can read Traherne in the context of modern trends at the same time that we can continue to enjoy the beauty of his poetry, the exuberance of his prose, the passion of his optimism, and the technicalversatility of his Herbertian discipleship.” – Prof. Nabil Matar for ANQ

Foreword by John R. Roberts
Introduction
Bibliography of Criticism
Appendices - 1. Doctoral Dissertations; 2. Primary Texts
Indices – Author Index, Subject Index

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