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Portrait of the Artist as American
Hardcover
Literary FiguresLiterary Criticism20th Century United States History
ISBN13: 9781025915234
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 340
Weight: 1.44
Height: 0.81 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Portrait of the Artist as American is a profound critical examination of the cultural and social pressures faced by creative minds in the United States. This work delves into the historical tension between the American artist and a society increasingly defined by industrialism and material pursuits. Author Matthew Josephson explores the lives and choices of legendary figures such as Henry James, Mark Twain, and Walt Whitman, analyzing why so many American creators felt compelled to seek refuge abroad or struggled to maintain their artistic integrity at home.
The book serves as an essential exploration of the American psyche and the development of a national literature. By tracing the paths of those who stayed and those who fled, Josephson provides a vivid portrait of the exile motif that defined a generation of intellectuals. This study remains a vital resource for readers interested in the evolution of American letters, the challenges of creative expression in a democratic society, and the enduring quest for a distinct cultural identity. Through sharp analysis and deep historical context, Portrait of the Artist as American offers a timeless look at the internal and external conflicts that have shaped the nation's most celebrated writers.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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