This would be the third book I have spoken about so far written by a Stephen. Pure coincidence, I assure you. Having said that, the historical connections with the Stephens in my life may certainly have a bearing on the words I write and the beliefs I hold.
Of course, the actual theoretical practices of New Historicism are far less tenuous than just that.
In this collection of essays, Greenblatt displays the precise sort of knack for intelligent connections that first made me fall in love with literature. My fondest moments in class are when students are able to immerse themselves into the text just enough that they are able to unlock the deeper meaning behind it.
However, illustrating precisely how the historical and social circumstances from which the work in question emerged is a far more fulfilling endeavour. It is also one that trains thinkers in making critical connections about their present circumstances.
Wonder v/s Veneration
In the final essay of this collection, Greenblatt highlights the importance of a literary work in arousing a sense of wonder. In particular, he isolates wonder from “veneration”. I would like to extend that to “reverence”.
Often the tendency when looking at a popular writer of yore is to treat them with reverence and praise the work for its beauty and “sublimity”, if any. However, a New Historical (or would it be Historicist? Ah, that cyst of a suffix) approach emerges from lowering a work from its pedestal and looking at it from a variety of lenses.
The key here is not necessarily to look at a text through irreverence or disrespect. That approach would be akin to the criticism labeled as “School of Resentment” lent by several scholars. Instead, I feel a work needs to be scrutinized without the apparent reverence clouding one’s judgement or appraisal of a task.
Resonance and Curiosity
Greenblatt repeatedly asserts throughout the book the sheer resonance that can emerge when a work from the past connects to the present. In the echoes of the essays of the peasant’s struggle and parenting styles, I found poignant parallels to contemporary issues in a manner that was far too jarring.
Further, the “poetics of culture” assertion was also instrumental in helping to understand the different ways in which ideologies and cultures manifest themselves in our day-to-day life.
I will not pretend that this work is very accessible. Do read it if I have aroused your curiosity with this newsletter, but I hope you don’t learn to curse me and literary theory after experiencing such an ordeal. For now, you may permit me the resonance of following this newsletter and sharing this post with others.
Stay curious and do not stifle your capacity for wonder through the well-curated algorithms of social media.