William Empson: The Structure of Complex Words

The Structure of Complex Words is a 1951 book by William Empson, a significant literary critic and theorist of the 20th century. This edition provides an extensive introduction, critical and explanatory notes, and a selection of materials that illuminate Empson's thinking, making it more accessible to readers and the standard version of the celebrated text.

Format: Hardback
Length: 672 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This is the first scholarly edition of one of the classics of literary criticism. William Empson was among the two or three most important and influential literary critics and theorists of the twentieth century. He has long been celebrated as one of the most fertile (as well as one of the funniest) explorers of how meaning works in language, especially in poetry. The Structure of Complex Words (1951) was much his longest book and was intended as a major theoretical statement of his contribution to the subject. Since its publication, it has been constantly referred to, but usually from a respectful distance, since it can seem a forbidding and difficult work. This edition provides an extensive introduction together with full critical and explanatory notes. The editors trace the book's genesis and development in detail, beginning with Empson's collaboration with I. A. Richards in the early and mid-1930s, and concluding with the extensive writing and rewriting that Empson undertook while in Peking in 1947-50. This edition also reprints a selection of materials (including articles and letters) that illuminate Empson's thinking and contributed to the eventual book. The edition makes Empson's great work more intelligible to a range of readers and will immediately become the standard version of this celebrated text.

William Empson, a towering figure in twentieth-century literary criticism, stands among the most influential and celebrated scholars of his era. Renowned for his profound insights into the workings of language, particularly in poetry, Empson has earned a reputation as one of the most fertile and witty explorations of meaning. His magnum opus, "The Structure of Complex Words," published in 1951, represents a significant theoretical statement of his contributions to the field. While the book has been widely referenced over the years, it has often been approached with a sense of reverence, owing to its perceived complexity and challenging nature.

This edition, however, aims to demystify the enigmatic nature of "The Structure of Complex Words" and make it accessible to a broader audience. It includes an extensive introduction that provides a comprehensive overview of Empson's life and work, placing his literary achievements within the broader context of twentieth-century literary movements. The editors meticulously trace the book's genesis and development, beginning with Empson's collaboration with I. A. Richards in the early and mid-1930s and concluding with the extensive writing and rewriting that Empson undertook while in Peking in 1947-50. In addition to the introduction, the edition includes comprehensive critical and explanatory notes that delve into the nuances of Empson's literary style, rhetorical devices, and theoretical frameworks.

One of the key features of this edition is the inclusion of a selection of materials that shed light on Empson's thinking and contributed to the eventual book. These materials include articles, letters, and other writings that provide a deeper understanding of Empson's intellectual journey and his approach to literary analysis. By reprinting these materials, the edition aims to provide a more holistic view of Empson's work and to offer readers a richer appreciation of his literary genius.

In conclusion, this scholarly edition of "The Structure of Complex Words" is a testament to the enduring legacy of William Empson as a literary critic and theorist. By presenting the book in a more accessible and comprehensive manner, it seeks to bring Empson's great work to a wider audience and to provide a deeper understanding of his profound insights into the nature of language and meaning. As such, it will undoubtedly become the standard version of this celebrated text and a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of literature.

Weight: 1124g
Dimension: 242 x 166 x 48 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198713432