"A wonderful introduction the Japanese tradition of jisei , this volume is crammed with exquisite, spontaneous verse and pity, often hilarious, descriptions of the eccentric and committed monastics who wrote the poems." — Tricycle: The Buddhist Review Although the consciousness of death is, in most cultures, very much a part of life, this is perhaps nowhere more true than in Japan, where the approach of death has given rise to a centuries-old tradition of writing jisei , or the "death poem." Such a poem is often written in the very last moments of the poet's life. Hundreds of Japanese death poems, many with a commentary describing the circumstances of the poet's death, have been translated into English here, the vast majority of them for the first time. Yoel Hoffmann explores the attitudes and customs surrounding death in historical and present-day Japan and gives examples of how these have been reflected in the nation's literature in general. The development of writing jisei is then examined—from the poems of longing of the early nobility and the more "masculine" verses of the samurai to the satirical death poems of later centuries. Zen Buddhist ideas about death are also described as a preface to the collection of Chinese death poems by Zen monks that are also included. Finally, the last section contains three hundred twenty haiku, some of which have never been assembled before, in English translation and romanized in Japanese.

Through an examination of the English novel in the mid-eighteenth to mid-nineteenth century, this book argues that the emerging pattern of male friendship, mentorship, entitlement, rivalry and hetero- and homosexuality was in an intimate and shifting relation to class and that no element of that pattern can be understood outside of its relation to women and the gender system as a whole.

Homicide has many social and psychological implications that vary from culture to culture and which change as people accept new ideas concerning guilt, responsibility, and the causes of crime . A study of attitudes toward homicide is therefore a method of examining social values in a specific setting. Homicide in American Fiction, 1798-1860 is the first book to contrast psychological assumptions of imaginative writers with certain social and intellectual currents in an attempt to integrate social attitudes toward such diverse subjects as human evil, moral responsibility, criminal insanity, social causes of crime, dueling, lynching, the "unwritten law" of a husband's revenge, and capital punishment. In addition to works of literary distinction by Cooper, Hawthorne, Irving, and Poe, among others, Davis considers a large body of cheap popular fiction generally ignored in previous studies of the literature of this period. This is an engrossing study of fiction as a reflection of and a commentary on social problems and as an influence shaping general beliefs and opinions.

Conflicting Identities and Multiple Masculinities takes as its focus the construction of masculinity in Western Europe from the early Middle Ages until the fifteenth century, crossing from pre-Christian Scandinavia across western Christendom. The essays consult a broad and representative cross section of sources including the work of theological, scholastic, and monastic writers, sagas, hagiography and memoirs, material culture, chronicles, exampla and vernacular literature, sumptuary legislation, and the records of ecclesiastical courts. The studies address questions of what constituted male identity, and male sexuality. How was masculinity constructed in different social groups? How did the secular and ecclesiastical ideals of masculinity reinforce each other or diverge? These essays address the topic of medieval men and, through a variety of theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary approaches, significantly extend our understanding of how, in the Middle Ages, masculinity and identity were conflicted and multifarious.

This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.

Religion From Tolstoy To Camus is a comprehensive book written by Walter Arnold Kaufmann that explores the evolution of religious thought and philosophy from the 19th to the 20th century. The book is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the religious ideas of Leo Tolstoy, S������ren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Martin Buber. The second part of the book examines the works of Albert Camus, Gabriel Marcel, and Paul Tillich. Kaufmann's analysis of these thinkers and their ideas is an attempt to understand how religion has been transformed and redefined in the modern era. He argues that the traditional religious beliefs and practices have been challenged by the rise of science, secularism, and existentialism. The book explores the ways in which these thinkers have responded to these challenges and how they have attempted to create new forms of religious expression.Kaufmann's writing is clear and accessible, making it an excellent resource for both scholars and general readers interested in the history of religious thought. The book provides a fascinating insight into the changing nature of religion and its role in modern society. Overall, Religion From Tolstoy To Camus is an important work that sheds light on the complex and evolving relationship between religion and modernity.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Legender Och Visor: Dikter (1891) is a collection of poems by Swedish author Oscar Levertin. The book features a mix of lyrical ballads and legends, drawing inspiration from Nordic mythology and folklore. The poems are written in a traditional style, with a focus on meter and rhyme. Levertin's writing is known for its romanticism and love of nature, and this collection is no exception. The book is a celebration of Swedish culture and tradition, and has been praised for its vivid imagery and powerful emotions. Overall, Legender Och Visor: Dikter is a beautiful and timeless work of poetry that captures the spirit of a bygone era.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.