Literary Criticism in the Epistolary Mode Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • This paper is an inquiry into the distinct potential of the epistolary voice in literary criticism. What can writers do in letters to address literary matters that other genres do not allow with the same ease and persuasive power? And if so, what is it that letters can do and how is it done? In this paper, I examine two early medieval Chinese texts about literature—an essay and a letter, both written by Cao Pi—and compare their rhetorical strategies in the light of epistolarity. I draw upon letters about literature by other writers, in particular, by Cao Zhi, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, John Keats, and Gertrud Kolmar. I propose that writers throughout history and across cultures were highly aware of the generic possibilities of the epistolary mode for the writing of literary criticism and purposely employed it in a variety of ways spanning the range from intimate family letter to openly fictional, published letter.

publication date

  • January 1, 2019

has restriction

  • bronze

Date in CU Experts

  • January 2, 2020 10:12 AM

Full Author List

  • Richter A

author count

  • 1

Other Profiles

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2577-820X

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 1

issue

  • 1