Ruins Lesson: Meaning and Material in Western Culture

Susan Stewart explores the value of ruins in Western culture, tracing their appeal and the lessons writers and artists have drawn from their haunting forms. She looks at the works of Goethe, Piranesi, Blake, and Wordsworth, each of whom found in ruins a means of reinventing his art. The book asks what can resist ruination and finds in the self-transforming practices of language and thought a clue to what might truly endure.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 400 pages
\n Publication date: 02 June 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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In Western culture, ruins have acquired immense value and have become a central theme in art and literature. Spanning a vast chronological and geographical expanse, from ancient Egyptian inscriptions to twentieth-century memorials, Susan Stewart explores the allure of ruins and their enduring impact. Through her meticulous examination, Stewart seeks to unravel the reasons behind the enduring fascination with ruins and the lessons that writers and artists have drawn from their haunting forms.

Stewart's exploration takes us on a captivating journey, traversing the origins of broken covenants and the concept of original sin. She also delves into the Christian appropriation of classical antiquity and the portrayal of decay in early modern allegory. In-depth analysis is conducted on the works of renowned artists such as Goethe, Piranesi, Blake, and Wordsworth, each of whom found in ruins a means of reinvigorating their artistic endeavors.

The Ruins Lesson is a lively and engaging work that ultimately poses the question: What can withstand the ravages of time? Stewart offers a profound insight by exploring the self-transforming and ephemeral practices of language and thought, suggesting that these practices hold the key to understanding what truly endures.

In conclusion, Susan Stewart's The Ruins Lesson is a thought-provoking exploration of the enduring value of ruins in Western culture. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Stewart provides a deeper understanding of the reasons behind the fascination with ruins and the lessons that writers and artists have drawn from their haunting forms. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of cultural studies and offers valuable insights into the enduring power of art and literature.

\n Weight: 690g\n
Dimension: 178 x 252 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226792200\n \n