Function and Development of the Marvellous in Literature (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

Explore how the marvel in literature grew from myth, religion, and early storytelling to modern criticism in this rigorous study.

This book traces the close links between imagination, religion, and literature, showing how the marvellous moved from sacred belief to aesthetic art. It surveys the rise of literary criticism, from ethical concerns about myth to a distinct, purely literary theory of poetic truth. A clear arc runs from ancient Greek commentary to Aristotle’s break with moral philosophy, revealing how wonder became a central tool in understanding narrative.

Beyond theory, the work examines primitive origins of marvel, how exaggeration and ritual shaped early tales, and the social roles that fostered extraordinary belief. It discusses how storytellers, priests, and magicians helped form the marvel as a literary force across cultures, and why exaggerated tales still carry power in contemporary writing.

• See how criticism evolves from moral debate to aesthetic analysis


• Learn how primitive beliefs and practices influence narrative wonder


• Understand the role of exaggeration, taboo, and ritual in story-making


• Explore the long history of the marvellous in literature and myth

Ideal for readers of literary history, myth, and the study of how imagination shapes narrative.

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