Emerson and Thoreau: Figures of Friendship (American Philosophy) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0253221439 ISBN 13: 9780253221438

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 2010

Synopsis

This lively volume explores the theme of friendship in the lives and works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Written from diverse perspectives, the essays offer close readings of selected texts and draw on letters and journals to offer a comprehensive view of how Emerson’s and Thoreau’s friendships took root and bolstered their individual political, social, and ethical projects. This collection explores how Emerson and Thoreau, in their own ways, conceived of friendship as the creation of shared meaning in light of personal differences, tragedy and loss, and changing life circumstances. Emerson and Thoreau presents important reflections on the role of friendship in the lives of individuals and in global culture.

About this title

About the Author:

John T. Lysaker is Professor and Head of Philosophy at the University of Oregon. He is author of Emerson and Self-Culture (IUP, 2008).

William Rossi is Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in English at the University of Oregon. He is editor of Walden and Resistance to Civil Government and several volumes of Thoreau’s works, including Walden, Civil Disobedience, and Other Writings and Journal, volumes 3 and 6.

Review:

Addresses an issue―friendship―that is of crucial importance to the ethical and social visions of Emerson and Thoreau. (James M. Albrecht Pacific Lutheran University)

Emerson, Thoreau, and the Transcendentalists had a lot more to say about friendship than is generally thought, and this is a good point of departure for these new readings. (Robert F. Sayre University of Iowa)

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0253221439
• ISBN 13: 9780253221438
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 222
• Editor: John T. Lysaker, William Rossi