Elegy

Paperback

Main Details

Title Elegy
Authors and Contributors      By (author) David Kennedy
SeriesThe New Critical Idiom
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback
Pages:176
Dimensions(mm): Height 198,Width 129
Category/GenreLiterary studies - poetry and poets
ISBN/Barcode 9780415367776
ClassificationsDewey:821.0409
Audience
Undergraduate
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Professional & Vocational

Publishing Details

Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint Routledge
Publication Date 21 August 2007
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Grief and mourning are generally considered to be private, yet universal instincts. But in a media age of televised funerals and visible bereavement, elegies are increasingly significant and open to public scrutiny. Providing an overview of the history of the term and the different ways in which it is used, David Kennedy: outlines the origins of elegy, and the characteristics of the genre examines the psychology and cultural background underlying works of mourning explores how the modern elegy has evolved, and how it differs from 'canonical elegy', also looking at female elegists and feminist readings considers the elegy in the light of writing by theorists such as Jacques Derrida and Catherine Waldby looks at the elegy in contemporary writing, and particularly at how it has emerged and been adapted as a response to terrorist attacks such as 9/11. Emphasising and explaining the significance of elegy today, this illuminating guide to an emotive literary genre will be of interest to students of literature, media and culture.

Author Biography

David Kennedy is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Hull. He is the editor of Necessary Steps: Poetry, Elegy, Walking, Spirit; and publishes widely on contemporary poetry.