On Essays: Montaigne to the Present

The essay is a literary form that has been over-shadowed by fiction, poetry, and drama but has proven resistant to definition. On Essays reveals a pattern of paradox, being a pedagogical tool and a refusal of the methodical languages of universities and professions, politically engaged but retired and independent, erudite and anti-pedantic, occasional and enduring, intimate and oratorical, allusive and idiosyncratic.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The essay, a literary form that has fascinated scholars and writers for centuries, has been described by various figures as a ramble, a joke, and an ambassador between the worlds of learning and conversation. However, what exactly is an essay, and how did it emerge as a distinct literary genre? This essay aims to explore the history, continuities, and contradictions of the essay, from its early origins in Montaigne's 1580 Essais to the familiar intimacies of the Romantic essay and the contemporary works of Virginia Woolf, James Baldwin, and Claudia Rankine.

Often referred to as the fourth genre, the essay has often been overshadowed by fiction, poetry, and drama in literary history, and it has proven notoriously difficult to define. On Essays, a collection of seventeen elegantly written essays on authors and aspects of the essay's history, offers a profound exploration of this elusive form.

Written by a team of distinguished scholars, the essays in On Essays cover a wide range of topics, from the origins of the essay to its development in different cultural contexts. The authors examine the essay's paradoxical nature, as it simultaneously serves as a pedagogical tool and a rejection of the methodical languages of universities and professions. They explore how the essay has been politically engaged while maintaining a sense of retirement and independence, combining erudition with anti-pedanticism and occasionalness with enduring relevance.

The essays also delve into the essay's intimate and oratorical qualities, as it allows writers to express their thoughts and ideas in a personal and nuanced manner. They discuss the essay's allusive and idiosyncratic nature, which enables it to engage with a wide range of literary and cultural references.

Despite the essay's rich history and significance, there has been surprisingly little work on the tradition of the essay. On Essays seeks to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the genre. The essays, written in a clear and engaging style, are accessible to students and scholars alike, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the essay's past, present, and future.

In conclusion, the essay is a fascinating and complex literary form that has undergone significant transformation over the centuries. On Essays offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of this genre, providing a valuable contribution to the field of literary scholarship. By examining the continuities and contradictions across the essay's history, the authors of this collection shed light on the enduring relevance and power of this literary form.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192848611