Emerson and Charles Harpur

Abstract

On close examination, Harpur's general poetics are certainly Wordsworthian (if Wordsworth's name is used as a focus-point in English literature for a complex set of slowly-developing traits), but in his mysticism, which is an important aspect of his more substantial poems, Harpur is much more Coleridgean, or more precisely, Emersonian. Despite his admiration for Wordsworth, expressed most ardently in two sonnets, he found Wordsworth's 'principles' or philosophy far too narrow.

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Published 1 May 1973 in Volume 6 No. 1. Subjects: Australian literature - Comparisons with overseas literature, Australian literature - International influences, Literary influences, Charles Harpur.

Cite as: Perkins, Elizabeth. ‘Emerson and Charles Harpur.’ Australian Literary Studies, vol. 6, no. 1, 1973, doi: 10.20314/als.af2dc34792.