Harp on the Shore: Thoreau and the Sea

By: Williard Bonner

Book Overview

Willard H. Bonner was the James H. McNulty Professor of English at State University of New York at Buffalo. His work on Thoreau reflected a lifelong interest in the literary traditions and the maritime history of New England. Bonner died in 1980. George R. Levine is Professor of English at State University of New York at Buffalo.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873959817
• ISBN13: 9780873959810
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr
• Length: 129 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

An analysis of Thoreau's sea-faring references

In "Thoreau as World Traveler," John Christie studied the two kinds of trips that Thoreau had taken: real excursions (mostly in New England), and those he experienced vicariously through his reading of expedition narratives. In "Harp on the Shore," Willard Bonner branched off and analyzed just the sea-faring references in Thoreau's works. At first glance, the reader may think this to be a rather narrow field of research. But you can find an amazing number of these references in his journals and published works when you take the time to look and to understand the language of his day. Though he'd never sailed much himself, Thoreau was not above using the folklore of the sea that was/is so prevalent in New England. And isn't Life the biggest voyage of all? An interesting focus, recommended just for those who seek further depth in their Transcendental reading.