Emerson and the climates of history
By: Eduardo Cadava.
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Stanford, Calif
Language: eng
Number of pages: 256
Subjects: Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882 -- Knowledge -- History; Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882 -- Political and social views; Literature and history -- United States -- History -- 19th century; Politics and literature -- United States -- History -- 19th century
Description: This book brings together a wide range of materials from history, religion, philosophy, horticulture, and meteorology to argue that Emerson articulates his conception of history through the language of the weather.

Focusing on Emerson's persistent use of climatic and meteorological metaphors, the book demonstrates that Emerson's reflections on the weather are inseparable from his preoccupation with the central historical and political issues of his day.

The author suggests that Emerson's writings may be read as both symptomatic and critical of the governing rhetorics through which Americans of his day thought about the most important contemporary issues, and that what has often been seen as Emerson's retreat from the arena of history into the domain of spirit is in fact an effort to re-treat or rethink the nature of history in terms of questions of representation.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 238-250) and index.