| Author |
Hearn, Lafcadio, 1850-1904 |
| LoC No. |
05033310
|
| Title |
The Romance of the Milky Way, and Other Studies & Stories
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 65.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
|
| Contents |
The romance of the Milky Way -- Goblin poetry -- "Ultimate questions" -- The mirror maiden -- The story of Ito Norisuké -- Stranger than fiction -- A letter from Japan.
|
| Credits |
Produced by Ted Garvin, William Flis, and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team.
|
| Summary |
"The Romance of the Milky Way, and Other Studies & Stories" by Lafcadio Hearn is a collection of short stories and essays written in the early 20th century. This volume includes Hearn's reflections on Japanese culture, folklore, and the human experience, expressed through rich and lyrical prose. The titular story dives into the enchanting Tanabata festival, exploring themes of love and longing in the myth of the Weaver and the Cowherd, symbolized by the stars. The opening of the work begins with a poetic description of the Tanabata festival, which is rooted in an ancient legend about two celestial beings, Hikoboshi and Tanabata, who can meet only once a year across the Milky Way. It paints a vivid picture of the festival's customs and the significance of color and poetry associated with it. Hearn effectively blends elements of Japanese culture and lore, such as the offerings made to the deities and the heartfelt emotions tied to the festival, immediately setting a tone of nostalgia and romance that resonates throughout the narrative. The readers are introduced to the mythic backdrop that romanticizes the star-crossed lovers, hinting at deeper themes of desire and separation that permeate the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
|
| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
|
| Subject |
Japan -- Description and travel
|
| Subject |
Folklore -- Japan
|
| Subject |
Tales -- Japan
|
| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
15320 |
| Release Date |
Mar 10, 2005 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 14, 2020 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
299 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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