Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offences
by Mark Twain
'Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offences ' Summary
Twain begins by quoting a few critics who praise the works of Cooper: Brander Matthews, Thomas Lounsbury and Wilkie Collins. He then claims that they have never read the novels themselves, and that Cooper's work is seriously flawed:
In one place in "Deerslayer," and in the restricted space of two-thirds of a page, Cooper has scored 114 offenses against literary art out of a possible 115. It breaks the record.
He goes on to list 18 separate literary rules he feels that Cooper does not follow, such as "The tale shall accomplish something and arrive somewhere. But the "Deerslayer" accomplishes nothing and arrives in the air," and "The author shall use the right word, not its second cousin." Twain continues on with few positive things to say about Cooper's writing, citing several examples from Cooper's writing to illustrate the unbelievable excess of the style.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1895Author
Mark Twain
United States
Twain was fascinated with science and scientific inquiry. He developed a close and lasting friendship with Nikola Tesla, and the two spent much time together in Tesla's laboratory. Twain patented thre...
More on Mark TwainDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
Related books
Rural Rides by William Cobbett
Rural Rides is the book for which the English journalist, agriculturist and political reformer William Cobbett is best known. At the time of writing...
The Spirit of Christmas by Henry Van Dyke
A short Christmas book by American author, educator, and clergyman Henry Van Dyke, including a short story, two essays, and two prayers for the season...
Tremendous Trifles by Gilbert K. Chesterton
It's vintage. A collection of essays on all sorts of topics: lying in bed, forgetting white chalk, being expelled from a Hansom Cab against his will,...
For Every Music Lover by Aubertine Woodward Moore
A series of essays for music lovers, covering many topics. From music appreciation, to violin and symphony, music education, to piano and, in fact, th...
An Essay on the Art of Ingeniously Tormenting by Jane Collier
An Essay on the Art of Ingeniously Tormenting was a conduct book written by Jane Collier and published in 1753. The Essay was Collier's first work, an...
Shandygaff by Christopher Morley
Imagine a literary gathering where ideas flow like a well-aged whiskey, humor sparkles like champagne bubbles, and insights dance like a vibrant tango...
A Dish of Orts: Chiefly Papers on the Imagination, and on Shakespeare by George MacDonald
A Dish of Orts: Chiefly Papers on the Imagination, and on Shakespeare is a book by George MacDonald, a 19th-century Scottish author, poet, and Christi...
In Defense of Harriet Shelley by Mark Twain
Mark Twain pulls no punches while exposing the "real" Percy Shelley in this scathing condemnation of Edward Dowden's "Life of Shelley". Even though, a...
Idle Ideas in 1905 by Jerome K. Jerome
Back in 1905 Jerome K. Jerome shared his thoughts on a variety of subjects, including "Should Women Be Beautiful?", "Should Soldiers Be Polite?" and "...
Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft by Sir Walter Scott
A series of letters written by Scott on the history of witchcraft and other supernatural events in England and other locations. He documents stories a...
Reviews for Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offences
No reviews posted or approved, yet...