Customer Reviews

Selected Letters of John Keats: Revised Edition

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lionel Trilling in his introduction to this volume makes the claim that the Letters are not simply the most outstanding of any poet that we have, but are such a great work that they rival Keats' poetry in claim for distinction. Trilling in the introduction focuses on understanding Keats relation to suffering and beauty. He takes the concept 'geniality' and shows how it is especially applies to the life- enhancing work and attitude of Keats. The Keats who spoke of life as a 'vale of soul- making' was as Trilling shows a tremendously vibrant, energetic and positive soul. In terms which he might be criticized for today Trilling speaks of the 'masculine quality' of Keats.
The letters have an incredible richness of percepted reality. Trilling points that for Keats all the senses came into play in writing about the world. This is felt in the letters' also. Also Keats great human quality in relation to others.
I was most moved by Keats parting words to Joseph Severn who so faithfully cared for him in the last months of his life.
Trilling quotes the exchange in the introduction as follows:

"As he lay on his deathbed he asked Severn. "Did you ever see anyone die?" Severn never had. "Well then, I pity you, poor Severn. What trouble and danger you have got into for me. Now you must be firm for it will not last long. I shall soon be laid in the quiet grave. Thank God, for the quiet grave... And at the end. "Severn , lift me up, for I am dying. I shall die easy. Don't be frightened !Thank God, it has come."

The letters show Keats not only as great poetic soul but as true human being.
They belong in the same library as the letters of Van Gogh, and Kafka.