1915 Literature

Literature

The 'Genius.' Theodore Dreiser. American. 1915. Novel. Midwestern artist. Many love affairs. Success. Marries. Wife dies in childbirth. Breakdown. Recovery.

"The Road Not Taken." Robert Frost. American. 1915. Poem. Narrator at fork in road decides on road less traveled.

The Good Soldier. Ford Maddox Ford. British. 1915. Novel. Learns his wife is the mistress of his best friend, a "good soldier." Conventional appearances vs. bitter truth.

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. TS Eliot. American/British. 1915. Poem. Paralyzed by social habit, sense of futility; can't escape; identified with his surroundings. Explores death in life. Suggests spiritual decay in society. Sterility of the world. Longs to make a significant gesture. Lacks resources. Puts off in introspection. Ends on a note of hopelessness.

"The Metamorphosis." Franz Kafka. German. 1915. Story. Man awakens one morning to find himself changed into a huge insect; effects on his life; death.

Of Human Bondage. Somerset W Maugham. British. 1915. Novel. Struggle for independence and intellectual development. Attempts to become an artist. Obsessive love affair. Then marries nice girl, settles down as a country doctor.

The Rainbow. DH Lawrence. British. 1915. Novel. Emotional lives and loves of three generations of a family of farmers and craftsmen.

The Song of the Lark. Willa Cather. American. 1915. Novel. Daughter of a Colorado clergyman eventually becomes a soprano at the Metropolitan in NYC.

Spoon River Anthology. Edgar Lee Masters. American. 1915. Poetry. Characters narrate their own biographies from the cemetery where they lie buried. Realistic. Cynical. Free verse. Contradict the pious epitaphs on gravestones.

The Thirty-Nine Steps. John Buchan. Canadian. 1915. Suspense. Uncovers spy ring and forestalls an invasion of Britain.

Victory. Joseph Conrad. British. 1915. Novel. Man has avoided all ties and commitments; self-exiled wanderer. Helps unhappy Lena. She tries to save him from ruthless men and dies. His victory is his recognition of love and purpose in life through Lena's death.