Bayard Taylor Criticism
Bayard Taylor (1825-1878) was an American travel essayist, poet, novelist, and translator whose multifaceted career reflected the literary currents and cultural exchanges of the 19th century. Known for his extensive travel essays, Taylor captivated audiences with vibrant, if at times stereotypical, accounts of his journeys through the Middle and Far East. Despite his fame as a travel writer, Taylor regarded poetry as his true vocation, aligning himself with the Genteel Tradition that emphasized literary decorum, as noted in The Genteel Circle: Bayard Taylor and his New York Friends. His poetic efforts, though technically skilled, are often considered derivative.
Born in Pennsylvania and a product of Quaker upbringing, Taylor's early life was marked by an eagerness to escape rural confines, leading him to an apprenticeship that facilitated his first publication. His celebrity status rose with works like Views A-Foot, which recounted his European travels. His personal life, marked by tragedy and subsequent explorations, saw him engage deeply with diverse cultures, including those of Africa and the Middle East.
Taylor's legacy is perhaps most enduringly preserved in his acclaimed translation of Goethe's Faust, a work praised for its faithful adherence to the original structure, as discussed by Critical and Other Works. Yet, much of his other writing has receded into obscurity, overshadowed by more pioneering contemporaries. His novels and poetry, while prolific, have been critiqued for their lack of originality and adherence to conventional morality, as highlighted in Bayard Taylor's Valley of Bliss: The Pastoral and the Search for Form.
The critical reception of Taylor has waned in the 20th century, with modern scholars often dismissing his work as unremarkable. As observed by Bayard Taylor and German Letters, his tendency to imitate rather than innovate has contributed to his decline in literary stature. This decline is captured poignantly in Bret Harte's obituary tribute, which reflects on Taylor's once-celebrated status. His portrayal in works by contemporaries, such as Herman Melville's The Confidence Man, underscores his prominence in his own time, though his lasting influence remains confined largely to the breadth rather than the depth of his literary output.
Contents
- Principal Works
-
Essays
-
The Genteel Circle: Bayard Taylor and his New York Friends
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Cary discusses Taylor's egotism and the effect it had on his work and on his role as a leader of the Genteel Tradition.
-
Bayard Taylor and German Letters
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Krumpelmann examines the degree to which Taylor's work imitates German literature.
-
Critical and Other Works
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Wermuth discusses Taylor's translation of Faust, his parodies, and other critical pursuits.
-
Introduction to The Story of Kennett
(summary)
In the following introduction to Taylor's The Story of Kennett, La Salle offers an overview of Taylor's career and provides background for the novel.
-
Bret Harte on Bayard Taylor: An Unpublished Tribute
(summary)
In the following essay, Luedtke and Morrow offer a commentary on Bret Harte's obituary of Taylor, and examine the relationship between the two authors.
-
Melville's Cosmopolitan: Bayard Taylor in The Confidence Man
(summary)
In the following essay, Lang and Lease examine Herman Melville's portrayal of Taylor in The Confidence Man.
-
Bayard Taylor's Valley of Bliss: The Pastoral and the Search for Form
(summary)
In the following essay, Martin discusses Taylor's use of pastoral settings and classical themes in his treatment of homosexuality.
-
Introduction to Selected Letters of Bayard Taylor
(summary)
In the following introduction, Wermuth offers a survey of Taylor's career and his place in the literary climate of the 1800s.
-
The Genteel Circle: Bayard Taylor and his New York Friends
(summary)
- Further Reading