| | 1 | Author: | Cooper, Frederic Taber | Add | | | Title: | Representative American Story Tellers: Ellen Glasgow.  | | | | Published: | 1996 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | Decorative W
WHILE there is not the slightest doubt of Miss Glasgow's title to a place of honour
in a series of papers on the leading story-tellers of America, it must at the same time
be recognised that this particular aspect of her work, if too rigidly adhered to, is
likely to do scant justice to her rather unusual powers. It is, of course, axiomatic
that without some sort of a story we cannot make any sort of a novel; and we cannot
make a strong, big novel without a rather big, strong story as a foundation. And yet
the story alone cannot be used as a measure of bigness, because many other factors
enter in to make up the sum total of any novel destined to live. Some novelists,
however, choose deliberately to subordinate other interests to that of the narrative
they have to tell. Their mastery of technique may be of the best; their philosophy of
life sane and earnest and helpful—yet if they insist upon regarding themselves
primarily as entertainers, and their books as little pocket theatres, then they remain
of their own choice in the ranks of the story-tellers. Miss Glasgow is one of the
small number of American novelists who have chosen to take a higher and finer
attitude toward their work. And that is why it is impracticable, even in a series
bearing the present title, to discuss her place in modern fiction simply from the
stand-point of story-telling. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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