Praeterita: Outlines of Scenes and Thoughts, Perhaps Worthy of Memory in My Past Life
Part of 2 in the Oxford World's Classics series
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Author Description
John Ruskin was one of the most influential men of his day, and Praeterita, his autobiography, offers fascinating insights into many of the topics in which he was pre-eminent: art, architecture, J. M. W. Turner, nature, politics, and travel. This is the first major new edition since 1908, including passages excised from the original printed editions. The Introduction sets the autobiography in the context of Ruskin's life at the time of writing and discusses its fractured nature and unique style. Thorough explanatory notes illuminate the many references and allusions and the Glossary of Persons Mentioned provides a gazetteer of Ruskin's social and intellectual circle.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the formative experiences and intellectual development of John Ruskin, one of the most significant cultural critics of the Victorian era. The author, through his autobiographical reflections, provides a retrospective analysis of his encounters with art, architecture, and the natural world. By examining his own history, Ruskin constructs a framework for understanding the aesthetic and political values that defined his public career and private life.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A comprehensive account of Ruskin's upbringing and social circle
- Detailed commentary on the influence of J. M. W. Turner and European travel
- Scholarly introduction and explanatory notes by Francis O'Gorman
- Previously unpublished passages excised from original editions
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a linear or exhaustive chronological history of the Victorian period
- The narrative is intentionally selective and omits certain painful personal details of the author's life
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and critics frequently identify this edition as the definitive modern resource for studying Ruskin's autobiographical style. Readers often note the academic density of the prose and the value of the supplementary notes in clarifying the author's complex intellectual allusions.
Page Count:
512
Publication Date:
2012-05-23
ISBN-10:
0192802410
ISBN-13:
9780192802415
Biography
Memoir
Autobiography
Non-Fiction
Victorian
ART CRITICISM
Art History
Authors biography
Great Britain
Authors english
CRITICS
Community Tags
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