Critical Woodcuts

'Critical Woodcuts' is a masterful collection of literary portraits and essays by Stuart Pratt Sherman, one of the most influential American critics of the early twentieth century. Through a series of incisive and elegantly written sketches, Sherman explores the lives, temperaments, and works of diverse literary figures, ranging from contemporaries like H.G. Wells, Sherwood Anderson, and Willa Cather to established giants of the past. The title suggests the author’s intent: to carve out sharp, clear-eyed impressions of writers that capture their essential character and contribution to letters.In this work, Sherman moves beyond mere academic analysis, offering personal and often provocative insights into the cultural shifts of his time. He examines the tension between tradition and modernity, the evolution of realism, and the role of the artist in society. Each essay serves as both a critique and a tribute, blending rigorous scholarship with a lively, accessible prose style. For readers and students of literary history, 'Critical Woodcuts' remains an invaluable window into the minds of significant authors and the critical landscape of the 1920s. This volume preserves a vital chapter of American intellectual discourse, showcasing Sherman’s ability to define the literary spirit of an era.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.