Summary
Harold Bloom argues that all literary texts are a strong misreading of their precursors, and this "anxiety of influence" cannot be evaded by artists, readers, or critics. Through a study of Romantic poets, he presents his central vision of the relations between precursors and individual artists. The book's impact on criticism and post-structuralist literary theory is substantial, remaining a central work for literature students.
The second edition, featuring a new introduction on Shakespeare and Marlowe, explains the genesis of Bloom's thinking and the book's subsequent influence. Written with personal style, concrete examples, and memorable quotations, it asserts that the struggle with prior works is an inescapable aspect of creation and reception.
Key concepts
- Strong misreading — Literary texts fundamentally alter and re-interpret their predecessors.
- Anxiety of influence — The inescapable psychological struggle artists and readers face with literary precursors.
- Precursors — Earlier poets or literary figures whose work influences later artists.
From the book
Description: Harold Bloom's The Anxiety of Influence has cast its long shadow of influence since it was first published in 1973. Through an insightful study of Romantic poets, Bloom puts forth his central vision of the relations between precursors and the individual artist. His argument that all literary texts are a strong misreading of those that precede them had an enormous impact on the practice of criticism and post-structuralist literary theory.
Written in a moving personal style, anchored by concrete examples, and memorable quotations, this second edition of Bloom's classic work maintains that the anxiety of influence cannot be evaded - neither by poets nor by responsible readers and critics. A new introduction, centering upon Shakespeare and Marlowe explains the genesis of Bloom's thinking, and the subsequent influence of the book on literary criticism of the past quarter of a century.
Snippet: Written in a moving personal style, anchored by concrete examples, and memorably quotable, Bloom's book maintains that the anxiety of influence cannot be evaded--neither by poets nor by responsible readers and critics.This second edition ...