Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 13

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

34408

Title

Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 13

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents a curated collection of the world's best literature, featuring translations of ancient Gothic scripture, Indian legends, and essays on social ethics. It showcases diverse voices from Toru Dutt's mystical ballads to George Eliot's profound character studies and Ralph Waldo Emerson's philosophical odes, offering a rich tapestry of global thought and artistic expression.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume XIII of the Library of the World's Best Literature presents a sweeping anthology of global literary masterpieces, bridging ancient traditions with nineteenth-century intellectual achievements. The collection opens with the Gothic Bible of Ulfilas, the oldest existing literary monument in the Germanic languages, preserved in the silver-characters of the Codex Argenteus. This ancient text is followed by excerpts from Egyptian literature, including the poignant tales of the Shipwrecked Sailor and the Doomed Prince, which offer early insights into human resilience and moral fate. A significant portion of the volume is dedicated to the remarkable Toru Dutt (1856–1877), whose translations of ancient Indian legends like 'Jogadhya Uma' and 'Savitri' reveal Eastern religious thought cloaked in mystical beauty. Dutt's work, written before her early death, captures the pastoral simplicity of early Aryan life and the philosophic calm of the East, blending native spirituality with the new faith she adopted. The anthology also features Ralph Waldo Emerson, whose poetry and prose explore themes of nature, liberty, and the divine order. His works, including the 'Concord Hymn' and 'Musketaquid,' celebrate the harmony between humanity and the natural world, contrasting the materialistic exploitation of the modern age with the spiritual unity of the past. A major focus is placed on George Eliot, whose novels are analyzed through an ethical lens that seeks to reconcile individual faults with social ideals. Unlike the subjective intensity of the Brontës, Eliot employs an objective method grounded in scientific observation and humanitarianism. Her characters often struggle between selfish materialism and altruistic ideals, with the narrative aiming to resolve these conflicts rather than succumb to tragic fatalism. Other contributors include José Echegaray, Alfred Edersheim, and Jonathan Edwards, providing a cross-section of nineteenth-century artistic and intellectual achievement. Together, these works illustrate a diverse range of human experience, from the mystical landscapes of India to the ethical complexities of Victorian society and the revolutionary spirit of American independence.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Literature