Sage writing

Sage writing

Sage writing is a genre of creative nonfiction popular in the Victorian era. Sage writing is a development from ancient wisdom literature in which the writer chastises and instructs the reader about contemporary social issues, often utilizing discourses of philosophy, history, politics, and economics in non-technical ways. Prominent examples of the genre include writings by Thomas Carlyle, Matthew Arnold, John Ruskin, and Henry David Thoreau. Some 20th century writers, such as Joan Didion and New Journalists such as Norman Mailer and Tom Wolfe, have also been identified as sage writers.

Characteristics

The sage writer makes non-logical arguments about contemporary social issues, drawing from various forms of modern knowledge and traditional wisdom. Sage writing can be distinguished from traditional wisdom literature in that "Whereas the pronouncements of traditional wisdom literature always take as their point of departure the assumption that they embody the accepted, received wisdom of an entire society, the pronouncements of the biblical prophet and Victorian sage begin with the assumption that, however traditional their messages may once have been, they are now forgotten or actively opposed by society." [Landow, "The Sage versus the Wisdom Speaker."] The sage borrows from the Old Testament prophets what George Landow identifies as a four part strategy of "interpretation, attack upon the audience (or those in authority), warning, and visionary promise." [Landow, "The Prophet's Four-Part Pattern."]

Influences

Sage writing is a development of wisdom literature drawing much of its energy from the style of Old Testament prophets such as Jeremiah and Isaiah; notably, sage writer Matthew Arnold was once referred to as an "Elegant Jeremiah". [Landow, "Introduction"] . Victorianist George Landow also lists sermon writing, satire, and British and German Romantic poetry as formative influences.

Major Sage Texts

* Thomas Carlyle - "Signs of the Times" (1829); "Past and Present" (1843); "Latter-Day Pamphlets" (1850)
* Matthew Arnold - "Culture and Anarchy" (1869)
* John Ruskin - "The Stones of Venice" (1851-3); "Unto this Last" (1860)
* Henry David Thoreau - "Life Without Principle"; (1854); "Slavery in Massachusetts" (1854); "A Plea for Captain John Brown" (1859)
* Norman Mailer - "The Armies of the Night" (1968)
* Joan Didion - "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" (1968)

References

*Holloway, John. "The Victorian Sage: Studies in Argument." London: Macmillan, 1953.

*Landow, George. " [http://www.victorianweb.org/genre/ej/contents.html| Elegant Jeremiahs: The Sage from Carlyle to Mailer.] " Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1986.

*Eds. Levine, George and Madden, William. "The Art of Victorian Prose" NY: Oxford University Press, 1968.

*Peterson, Linda H. "Sage Writing." In "A Companion to Victorian Literature and Culture." Ed. Herbert F. Tucker. Boston: Blackwell Publishers Ltd., 1999.

* [http://www.victorianweb.org/genre/sage.html| The Victorian Web] .

Notes


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sage — or SAGE can refer to one of the following:Plants, Salvia officinalis . ] *Any of a number of ornamental and medicinal plants in three genera of the mint family, Lamiaceae: ** Salvia , a large genus ***Common sage, a small evergreen subshrub used… …   Wikipedia

  • Sage Hill School — is a private independent co educational college preparatory school for day students in grades 9 12. The school was founded in 1999, the first year it filed a Form 990 with the IRS. According to its 2000 Private School Affidavit filed with the… …   Wikipedia

  • Sage Reynolds — Double bassist and composer Sage Reynolds is highly active on the Montréal music scene performing and writing in a variety of musical styles and contexts. Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, he moved to Montréal in the mid nineties to pursue his… …   Wikipedia

  • Lorna Sage — (13 January 1943, Hanmer, Flintshire, Wales ndash; 11 January 2001, London), was a Welsh born academic, as well as an award winning literary critic and author, known widely for her contribution to the consideration of women s writing.BiographyThe …   Wikipedia

  • Leland Sage — Leland Livingston Sage (April 23, 1899 February 16, 1989) was an American professor emeritus of history at the University of Northern Iowa. He was deeply interested in Iowa history, and wrote two books on it, both of which won national… …   Wikipedia

  • New Riders of the Purple Sage — For the album, see New Riders of the Purple Sage (album). For the western music group, see Riders of the Purple Sage (band). For the Zane Grey novel, see Riders of the Purple Sage. New Riders of the Purple Sage Origin San Francisco, California… …   Wikipedia

  • The Sage Gateshead — is a centre for musical education, performance and conferences, located in Gateshead on the south bank of the River Tyne, in the north east of England. It was opened in 2004. The venue is part of the Gateshead Quays development, which also… …   Wikipedia

  • Angie Sage — Infobox Writer name = Angie Sage birthdate = birth year and age|1952 birthplace = Thames Valley, England occupation = Novelist notableworks = Septimus Heap series website = http://www.septimusheap.comAngie Sage (born 1952) is the author of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Bill Le Sage — Bill Le Sage, born William A. Le Sage, born birth date |1927|1|20|df=y London died death date |2001|10|31|1927|1|20|df=y, London, was a British pianist, vibraphonist, arranger, composer and bandleader. A self taught musician, after working with… …   Wikipedia

  • Alain-Rene Le Sage —     Alain René Le Sage     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Alain René Le Sage     Writer, b. at Sarzeau (Morbihan), 1668; d. at Boulogne sur Mer, 1747. The son of a notary who died early in the youth s career, he left the Jesuit college of Vannes after …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”