FROM THE PUBLISHER

With the publication of Fearful Symmetry in 1917, Northrop Frye gained wide renown as a literary theorist, a reputation that continued to build throughout his lifetime. This volume in the Collected Works provides a transcription of the seven books of diaries that Frye kept intermittently from 1912 until 1955. During the period of the final six diaries, 1949-1955, Frye was at work on Anatomy of Criticism, and he refers frequently to many of the essays written during this period that became a part of the book that brought him international acclaim.

SYNOPSIS

Literary theorist Northrop Frye first earned widespread recognition with the publication of Fearful Symmetry in 1947. This volume presents a transcription of the diaries he kept between 1942 and 1955, with annotations and an introduction by Denham. In the diaries, Frye explores ideas which he would later publish in Anatomy of Criticism (1957) and discusses his daily life, his physical and psychological illnesses, people he met, and classes he taught. Denham teaches English at Roanoke College.