by Conan Doyle · Cluster: War and Empire · History · Nationalism and Patriotism
Abstract
A 1914 lecture delivered to the Canadian Club in Montreal, in which Doyle reflects on the historical rhythms of literary flowering, arguing that great literature only follows a long ‘seed-time’ of national struggle and practical achievement. He offers advice on style, vocabulary, patience with criticism, and predicts that Canada’s coming literary greatness will follow, not precede, its material and nation-building labors.
Connections
Forms & Genres: Essay, Literary Criticism, Nonfiction Themes & Concepts: Artist and Society, Creativity and Artistic Labor, Nationalism and Patriotism, Tradition, History Motifs: Book Reading Historical References: George Bernard Shaw, George Meredith, Robert Louis Stevenson Settings: Canada Characters: George Bernard Shaw, George Meredith, Robert Louis Stevenson, H.G. Wells Archetypes: The Writer Topoi: Poet as Prophet
Also relevant to: Self-Knowledge · Immortality · Self-Reliance