From Plato to Persia: Emerson's transnational origins -- Transparent eyeball/Persian Mirror -- Imitation as suicide: Islamic fatalism and the paradox of self-reliance -- The subversion of equivalence: Emerson's translation theory in praxis -- Americanizing Rumi and Hafez: the return of Emerson's verse translation -- The other side of the Persian mirror: Emerson's gaze as necessary corrective.
Summary:
"Emerson in Iran offers the first full-length study of Persian influence in the work of the seminal American poet, philosopher, and translator. Extending the current trend in transnational studies back to the figural origins of both the United States and Iran, insightful comparative readings of Platonism and Sufi mysticism help explain how Emerson managed to reconcile through poetry two countries so seemingly different in religion, philosophy, and politics. Tracking Emerson's various rhetorical strategies through his own interrogation of language and critical readings of literature exposes what can be considered the sustained development of a latent but considerable translation theory. Emerson's practical application of such a theory in his approach to Hafez and Sa'di further demonstrates the extent to which Persian poetry becomes generative in his own nineteenth century, and how such formative effects continue into America's contemporary verse tradition"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.