Celtic, Christian, socialist

Celtic, Christian, socialist

By Audrey S. Eyler

Book Description

This scholarly exploration reveals the profound spiritual dimensions in the work of Irish writer Anthony C. West, positioning him as one of Ireland's most systematically spiritual authors since Yeats. Audrey Eyler demonstrates how West's four novels form a cohesive spiritual journey, tracing the evolution of the human soul through its capacity for both destruction and creation.

West's literary vision integrates the maturation of soul and body as a paradigm for cultural and human development. His work examines how materialism, while not inherently destructive, dominates modern consciousness and feeds an insatiable ego that promotes violence and threatens authentic community. Through careful analysis, Eyler shows how West draws from Celtic and Christian traditions alongside Wordsworthian influences to create a unique spiritual alternative.

The four novels—The Native Moment, Rebel to Judgment, The Ferret Fancier, and As Towns With Fire—chronicle an artistic everyman's spiritual growth from childhood glimpses of immortality to mature spiritual understanding. While each novel stands independently, together they form a spiritual bildungsroman that offers hope beyond mere criticism of modern egotism.

Eyler's study reveals West's syncretistic approach, showing how he weaves together diverse spiritual traditions to present a vision grounded in divine, feminine creative love. This book serves both as an introduction to West's individual novels and as a comprehensive guide to understanding his integrated spiritual philosophy.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~4 hours)

📄 Length: 156 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Mythology, Celtic, in literature
  • ✓ Explore Socialism and literature
  • ✓ Explore History
  • ✓ Explore English literature
  • ✓ Explore Christianity and literature
  • ✓ Explore Criticism and interpretation
  • ✓ Explore English Christian fiction
  • ✓ Explore In literature

Topics Covered

Mythology, Celtic, in literature Socialism and literature History English literature Christianity and literature Criticism and interpretation English Christian fiction In literature Anthroposophy in literature Authors Christianity in literature Socialism in literature History and criticism Ireland in literature Celtic influences

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