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A Full Enquiry into the Nature of the Pastoral (1717): Poetry Guide and Free Edition

A Full Enquiry into the Nature of the Pastoral (1717): author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

A Full Enquiry into the Nature of the Pastoral (1717) is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Purney, Thomas (1695–?).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"A Full Enquiry into the True Nature of Pastoral" by Thomas Purney is a critical essay written in the early 18th century. This work examines pastoral poetry, discussing its characteristics, purposes, and the distinctions between various interpretations and forms of the genre. Purney critiques existing literature on pastoral themes while attempting to elevate the status of pastoral poetry by outlining its potential for deeper moral and emotional resonance. At the start of the essay, the reader is introduced to a character named Cubbin, a shepherd lounging in a picturesque setting. The narrative unfolds as he encounters Sophy, a figure who admires Cubbin's pastoral poetry while offering insights on how it can be improved. Sophy critiques contemporary poetic practices, expressing a desire for a more engaged and thoughtful approach to pastoral themes. He emphasizes the importance of crafting pastoral poetry that reflects human experience—balancing the beautiful with the real—and argues that true pastoral should focus on simple, tender emotions and experiences that resonate with readers. This opening sets the stage for Purney's exploration of pastoral poetry, highlighting the complexities involved in its creation and understanding.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: A Full Enquiry into the Nature of the Pastoral (1717)
  • Author credits: Purney, Thomas (1695–?)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Pastoral poetry

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: British Literature
  • Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
  • Category: Poetry

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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

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