Instigations

In this compact collection of literary essays, the author turns a keen eye toward the French poets who shaped modern verse, from the daring wit of Laforgue to the haunting lyricism of Rimbaud. He argues that true appreciation comes not from mere translation but from sensing the underlying “mæstria” that survives the shift between languages, and he critiques the insular habits of American criticism while urging a more adventurous, cross‑Atlantic dialogue. Along the way, he offers a candid assessment of contemporary French taste, noting where the celebrated meets the mediocre and why some voices—like Gautier’s—deserve renewed attention.

The work expands beyond France, weaving brief studies of Henry James, the emerging modernists Eliot, Joyce, and Lewis, and even an essay on the structure of Chinese characters. These varied forays reveal a restless curiosity about how different literary traditions intersect and influence one another. Readers will find a thoughtful, conversational guide that invites them to explore the margins of early‑20th‑century thought without ever revealing the ultimate conclusions of the author’s larger project.