The Aphorism and Other Short Forms

Description

The aphorism captures a huge amount of truth, meaning or wit in a very short statement. It has been used and studied from classical times to contemporary theory and takes on a new relevance when we look at today s communication media such as text messages and twitter. This concise guide offers an overview of: The history of the aphorism to the present day Its relation to other short forms, including the fragment, the proverb, the maxim, the haiku, the epigram and the quotation The use of the aphorism by authors such as Heraclitus, Bacon, La Rochefoucauld, Chuang Tzu, Blake, Schlegel, Emerson, Nietzsche, Wilde, Woolf and Barthes The interdisciplinary nature of the aphorism, bringing together science, philosophy, literature and religion Exploring all the key aspects of the form, Ben Grant guides readers through this large and lively area in a wide-ranging and critically informed study of the aphorism." The Aphorism and Other Short Forms- Front Cover The Aphorism and Other Short Forms Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Series editor’s preface Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1: An historical overview ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME THE MEDIEVAL ANTHOLOGY THE RENAISSANCE THE AGE OF WIT THE ROMANTIC FRAGMENT THE MAKING OF AMERICA FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE MODERNISM POSTMODERN DECENTRING Chapter 2: Brevity CONCISION INTENSITY SPEED CONDENSATION Chapter 3: Wisdom CHREIA LOVE EXCESS USELESSNESS Chapter 4: Authority AUTHOR QUOTATION DEFINITION MISOGYNY Chapter 5: Thoughts and impressions TRAVEL GREGUERÍA NOTEBOOK INTERPRETATION Chapter 6: Enigma and paradox PARADOX TRUTH NONSENSE QUESTION Chapter 7: Singularity and multiplicity FRAGMENTS SINGULARITY SERIES Chapter 8: The aphorism today Glossary Bibliography Index