Flight from Eden: The Origins of Modern Literary Criticism and Theory

Steven Cassedy challenges the idea that modern criticism is secular and new, arguing that it is rooted in a mystical belief in an Edenic essence. He claims that this belief was already present in the early twentieth century in the minds of writers who were not professional critics or philosophers, such as Mallarmé, Valéry, Rilke, Bely, and Khlebnikov. The title is part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, which aims to make high-quality scholarship accessible again using print-on-demand technology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 19 August 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Steven Cassedy challenges two prevailing myths of contemporary criticism: its secular nature and its perceived novelty and autonomy. While modern criticism may exhibit a scientific and technical approach, Cassedy argues that the modern critic retains a mystical element. Every school of modern criticism, ranging from structuralism to postmodernism, is founded upon a belief in an Eden, an irreducible essence, or a myth, similar to the widespread notion that poetic language differs inherently from ordinary language. The modern critic endeavors to renounce all mystical faith, symbolized as a flight from Eden. However, this endeavor consistently proves futile.

It is commonly believed that modern literary criticism and theory originated in France and emerged relatively recently. However, as Cassedy reveals, the seeds of the modern critical consciousness were already sown in the early twentieth century by writers who were primarily poets, rather than professional critics or philosophers. These writers, hailing from various countries, including France (Mallarmé and Valéry) and others (Rilke, Bely, and the Russian avant-garde poet Velimir Khlebnikov), shared a common belief in Eden and an ongoing quest to abandon it.

This book is part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, which celebrates the University of California Press' commitment to discovering and nurturing exceptional minds, providing them with a platform, reach, and influence. Drawing from a rich backlist dating back to 1893, Voices Revived utilizes print-on-demand technology to make high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again. Originally published in 1990, this title contributes to the ongoing revival of intellectual discourse.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520335035