Podcast
Questions and Answers
What criticisms did some readers have of Edith Wharton's work before The Age of Innocence?
What criticisms did some readers have of Edith Wharton's work before The Age of Innocence?
Too refined, too intellectual, too snobbish, not cheerful enough, too much like Henry James
In what way was Edith Wharton's writing about the rich perceived during the 1920s?
In what way was Edith Wharton's writing about the rich perceived during the 1920s?
It seemed to indicate that she had turned her back on the truths of common life
How was 'The House of Mirth' received despite its subject matter?
How was 'The House of Mirth' received despite its subject matter?
With some enthusiasm
What was 'The House of Mirth' considered to be by some?
What was 'The House of Mirth' considered to be by some?
How was 'The House of Mirth' described in relation to its moral and human aspects?
How was 'The House of Mirth' described in relation to its moral and human aspects?
What criticism did some readers have about the writer's choice to depict the sordid side of upper-class life?
What criticism did some readers have about the writer's choice to depict the sordid side of upper-class life?
How did some critics view the writer's literary competence?
How did some critics view the writer's literary competence?
What did some American male critics express about the writer's 'brilliancy'?
What did some American male critics express about the writer's 'brilliancy'?
What was the criticism regarding the writer's focus on the destruction of the finer spirits among the socially privileged?
What was the criticism regarding the writer's focus on the destruction of the finer spirits among the socially privileged?
What did many agree about the writer's art in relation to Henry James?
What did many agree about the writer's art in relation to Henry James?
Willa Cather's literary voice is characterized by the elements of character, setting, and theme.
Willa Cather's literary voice is characterized by the elements of character, setting, and theme.
Cather's central characters are generally pessimistic and easily give up on their dreams.
Cather's central characters are generally pessimistic and easily give up on their dreams.
The title 'O Pioneers.' for Cather's work is derived from a poem by Emily Dickinson.
The title 'O Pioneers.' for Cather's work is derived from a poem by Emily Dickinson.
Cather's protagonists are characterized by their naively optimistic nature and unrealistic expectations.
Cather's protagonists are characterized by their naively optimistic nature and unrealistic expectations.
The central characters in Cather's work are portrayed as heroic figures who blaze a trail for others to follow.
The central characters in Cather's work are portrayed as heroic figures who blaze a trail for others to follow.
Willa Cather's characters are primarily immigrants or the descendants of immigrants who moved from the New World to the Old.
Willa Cather's characters are primarily immigrants or the descendants of immigrants who moved from the New World to the Old.
Some of Cather's characters could not adapt to the raw land of America and broke under its stress.
Some of Cather's characters could not adapt to the raw land of America and broke under its stress.
Cather's heroic characters in America were able to use their heritage in bold and innovative ways.
Cather's heroic characters in America were able to use their heritage in bold and innovative ways.
The Nebraska Divide is a vision of restriction and limitation for characters like Ántonia Shimerda and Alexandra Bergson.
The Nebraska Divide is a vision of restriction and limitation for characters like Ántonia Shimerda and Alexandra Bergson.
Cather's fiction is not grounded in the pastoral tradition that celebrates the values of rural life.
Cather's fiction is not grounded in the pastoral tradition that celebrates the values of rural life.
