Of Paradise and Light
A Study of Vaughan's Silex Scintillans

Mr Pettet's 1960 study of Henry Vaughan's mature masterpiece Silex Scintillans.

E. C. Pettet (Author)

9780521157469, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 14 April 2011

228 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.3 cm, 0.3 kg

Mr Pettet's 1960 study of Henry Vaughan's mature masterpiece Silex Scintillans is in effect an introduction to the poet's whole work. It gives a careful analysis, with abundant quotation, of Vaughan's poetic qualities, showing his individuality, his affinities with other metaphysical poets, the nature of his own experience, and the definable influences on him (the Bible, Herbert's poetry, hermetic philosophy). From this combination of general discussion with detailed analysis of the greatest poems, the reader will grasp Vaughan's essential qualities and his worth.

Preface
Part I. The Shaping of the Poetry: 1. From within
2. The Bible
3. Herbert's poetry
4. Hermetic philosophy
5. The book of nature
Part II. Studies of Four Major Poems: 6. 'Regeneration' - an interpretation
7. 'The Morning-Watch'
8. 'The Night'
9. 'They are all gone into the world of light'
Part III. Some General Impressions: 10. Further notes on Vaughan's imagery
11. Vaughan's music
12. A rhetorical strain
13. The unity and continuity of Silex Scintillans
14. 'Clouded Star'
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]