How Long to Read Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton

How Long Does it Take to Read Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton?

It takes the average reader 2 hours and 56 minutes to read Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton by Linda C. Cahir

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

The interplay between solitude and society was a particularly persistent theme in nineteenth-century American literature, though writers approached this theme in different ways. Poe explored the metaphysical significance of isolation and held solitude in high esteem; Hawthorne viewed the theme in moral terms and examined the obligation of each individual to the larger community; and Emerson maintained that the contradictory states of self-reliance and solidarity are fundamental to human happiness. Herman Melville emerged with an ontological response to this issue. Questioning the nature of being, he argued that humans are essentially isolated creatures. While he grants that we are free to choose how we conduct our lives, whether in solitude or in society, we cannot escape the essential condition of our alienation. Thus in Moby-Dick, he coins the term Isolato to signify the inherent separateness of all individuals. Writing some fifty years later, Edith Wharton reached the same conclusion. This book argues that Wharton's views on solitude and society were strongly parallel to those of Melville. Scholars have generally held that Wharton was primarily influenced by the great English, French, and Russian writers of the nineteenth century; and that with the exception of Walt Whitman, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry James, she neglected the influence of American literature almost entirely. This study demonstrates that Wharton read a significant portion of Melville's writings, that she reflected on the nature and achievement of his works, and that her consideration of his importance emerged during very significant moments in her life, when she was forced to grapple with her own place as an individual in relation to a larger community. Though Melville and Wharton initially seem disparate, this book shows that they had much in common. By studying the two authors side by side, this volume reveals that they shared a similar way of seeing the world, particularly with respect to their considerations of solitude and society. Through their solitary characters, Melville and Wharton question the relationship of self and society and thus engage a universal problem of special interest to the nineteenth century.

How long is Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton?

Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton by Linda C. Cahir is 174 pages long, and a total of 44,196 words.

This makes it 59% the length of the average book. It also has 54% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 4 hours and 1 minute to read Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton aloud.

What Reading Level is Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton?

Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton is suitable for students ages 10 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton?

Solitude and Society in the Works of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton by Linda C. Cahir is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

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