Bartley Alexander is a construction engineer and world-renowned builder of bridges undergoing a mid-life crisis. Although married to Winifred, Bartley resumes his acquaintance with a former lover, Hilda Burgoyne, in London. The affair gnaws at Bartley's sense of propriety and honor.
Written by one of the leading scholars in the field, Nothing Abstract is a collection of essays gathered over the past twenty years -- all of which, in some fashion, have to do with a genetic approach to literary study. In previous books, the author has traced the compositional histories of certain literary works, the course of individual careers, and the genesis of literary movements. In this book, Tom Quirk resists the direction taken by contemporary theory in favor of an approach to literature through source and influence study, the evolution of a writer's achievement, the establishment of biographical or other contexts, and the transition from one literary era to another.
The Worlds of Willa Cather and Wallace Stevens
Bergsonian "vitalism" emerged as a counter to Spencerian determinism in the early twentieth century, positing a foundation for human freedom and individual potential. Quirk explores its influence on American thought, highlighting how diverse writers like Willa Cather and Wallace Stevens adapted vitalistic ideas to fit their distinct artistic visions. This examination reveals the interplay between philosophical concepts and literary creativity, showcasing the varied ways in which these authors embraced and transformed Bergson's ideas.