SOURCE: A review of May-Day and Other Pieces, in North American Review, Vol. CCXVI, July, 1867, pp. 325-27.
Norton, an editor of leading journals during the 1860s and a professor at Harvard University for twenty-five years, wrote internationally reknowned literary and social criticism and historical essays that produced a wide cultural influence. In this excerpt, he praises Emerson's second book of poetry by expressing a willingness to accept Emerson's uneven poetic style as a minor flaw in light of the greater contribution made by Emerson's moral and spiritual themes.
This is a free excerpt of 88 words. There are 983 words (approx.
3 pages at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803–1882: Critical Essay by Charles Eliot Norton Access Pass.
