Inquiries and Opinions

Name: Inquiries and Opinions
Author: Brander Matthews

By Brander Matthews

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About This Book

A series of critical essays surveying literature and the theatre at the turn of the century, relating literary problems to broader social and scientific changes. The author emphasizes technic as a teachable component of artistic success, alongside temperament and character, and defends craftsmanship in fiction and drama. He profiles and critiques prominent writers and genres—considering the detective story, short fiction, comic and realist traditions—and offers a sustained study of a leading dramatist and of contemporary stage practice. Additional essays address invention and imagination, the relation between the modern novel and the modern play, and practical matters of staging and stage-management.

About the Author

Brander Matthews

Brander Matthews (1852-1929) was an American author, critic, and educator, recognized for his contributions to American literature and theater. He served as a professor of dramatic literature at Columbia University, where he influenced a generation of writers and playwrights. Matthews is known for his insightful essays on the theater, including "A Book About the Theater," which explores the art and craft of playwriting. His works often reflect a keen understanding of language and culture, as seen in titles like "Americanisms and Briticisms" and "Parts of Speech: Essays on English." Through his diverse writings, Matthews played a significant role in shaping the discourse around American drama and storytelling.