Research Catalog

Title

Angels and wild things : the archetypal poetics of Maurice Sendak / John Cech.

Author

Cech, John.

Publication

University Park : Pennsylvania State University Press, c2013.

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Details

Description

xxvii, 275 p., [16] p. of col. plates : ill.; 28 cm.

Summary

Angels and Wild Things examines the unique contribution of Maurice Sendak to the literature of childhood. It is the first comprehensive reading of Sendak's key works that considers the symbolic child who has appeared and developed in Sendak's books and remains at the center of his vision. By fusing biographical, historical, cultural, and literary materials with the insights of depth psychology and archetypal theory, this study traces the evolution of Sendak's work - from its first, bold steps in the 1950s, to its liberating breakthroughs of the 1960s and early 1970s, to the rich complexity of his most recent books. Although touching on many of the works that Sendak has been involved with, John Cech concentrates on those books that Sendak has both written and illustrated - in essence, those works over which he has had complete artistic control. It is in these books that we can see most clearly the poesis of Sendak's art, the alchemy of his creative process that has woven together the remembrances of his own things past, the spirit of his times, the history of children's literature, and Sendak's animating concern with the archetypal figure of the child - a symbol of creative potential, emotional vitality, and spiritual renewal. Angels and Wild Things documents the major role that Sendak has played in helping to develop a literature of fantasy for young children, one that could explore the "inside," the emotional, imaginative terrain of a child's experience.

Subject

• Sendak, Maurice > Criticism and interpretation
• Children > Books and reading > History > United States > 20th century
• Psychological fiction, American > History and criticism
• Children's stories, American > History and criticism
• Children's stories, American > Illustrations
• Archetype (Psychology) in literature

Note

• Paperback edition includes new preface.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. [269]-275).

Call Number

JFF 13-1461

ISBN

• 0271060646 (pbk)
• 9780271060644 (pbk)

OCLC

826997393

Author

Cech, John.

Title

Angels and wild things : the archetypal poetics of Maurice Sendak / John Cech.

Imprint

University Park : Pennsylvania State University Press, c2013.

Edition

New ed.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (p. [269]-275).

Research Call Number

JFF 13-1461