| Abyss of Reason: Cultural Movements, Revelations, and Betrayals Contributor(s): Cottom, Daniel (Author) |
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ISBN: 0195068572 ISBN-13: 9780195068573 Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA OUR PRICE: $232.65 Product Type: Hardcover Published: July 1991 Annotation: In this fascinating study, the relationship between nineteenth-century spiritualism and twentieth-century surrealism provides the backdrop for an examination of conflicting movements in literature, art, philosophy, science, and other areas of social life. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Semiotics & Theory - Social Science |
| Dewey: 809.91 |
| LCCN: 90044015 |
| Lexile Measure: 1560 |
| Physical Information: 1.01" H x 6.4" W x 9.58" (1.39 lbs) 320 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 20th Century |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: In this pathbreaking study, the historical relationship between nineteenth-century spiritualism and twentieth-century surrealism is the basis for a general examination of conflicting movements in literature, art, philosophy, science, and other areas of social life. Because spiritualism delved into the world beyond humanity and surrealism was founded on the world within, the two provide a provocative frame for examining the struggles within modern culture. Cottom argues that we must conceive of interpretation in terms of urgency, desire, fierce contention, and impromptu deviation if we want to understand how things come to bear meaning for us. He demonstrates that even when Victorians holding seances and surrealists composing manifestoes were most foolish, they had much that was valuable to say about the life (and death) of reason. |