Lowell in a Fable for Critics, James

Lowell

In A Fable for Critics, James Russell Lowell pays tribute to his contemporaries with a sort of poetic roast. Although Lowell may not be joking, the overall tone of the lengthy poem is satirical. The assessments of authors like Emerson, Bryant, Whittier, Hawthorne, Cooper, Poe, Irving, and Holmes occasionally come across as jibes. Yet often, Lowell gushes with admiration and respect for his fellow writers. Lowell consistently and liberally uses hyperbole throughout A Fable for Critics. For example, he calls Emerson's words "like gold nails in temples to hang trophies on," (line 2). He also uses romantic imagery and metaphors like the one describing Emerson as having a "Greek head on right Yankee shoulders," (2nd stanza). Just as Lowell seems to be admiring Emerson, he launches into some harsh criticisms. For example, Lowell states that Emerson speaks about ideas like they were "fossils stuck round in a cabinet" and that he is "one part pure earth, ninety-nine parts pure lecturer," (2nd stanza). Emerson's words are precise and hover between poetry and prose, but his ideas seem uninspired and even "dead."

Compliments for Bryant include that he is "quiet," "cool," and "dignified," (3rd stanza). In part two of A Fable for Critics, Bryant uses a play on words and creates a portmanteau "iceolation." The portmanteau combines Lowell's assessment of Bryant as being cold and isolated. Lowell uses an extended metaphor to solidify his ideas. Being too cold is not a desirable thing as a writer; Lowell urges Bryant to loosen and soften up his writing. Bryant "has a true soul for field, river, and wood in him," and his heart is in the right place. Unfortunately, Lowell claims, Bryant's writing is too stiff.

Whittier is described as a Quaker, which Lowell uses as a springboard for calling him "drab." Yet Lowell also notes that Whitter has the "swing" of the "true lyric bard and all that kind of thing." In fact, Whittier's main fault is also his strength. His fervent ranting is not tempered. Lowell describes Whittier as being somewhat the opposite of Bryant, who is too cold. Whitter, on the other hand, runs too hot and his writing suffers because of it.

Hawthorne receives some of Lowell's harshest criticisms. For example, Lowell states, "you hardly at first see the strength that is there," (IV, 2). Hawthorne has certain genius, but it is "shrinking and rare," (IV, 1). Yet as soon as he says these things, it appears Lowell is actually lauding Hawthorne for being as statuesque and legendary as Paul Bunyan.

Lowell devotes a lengthy passage to a discussion about James Fenimore Cooper. He begins with a sarcastic comment about how Cooper has written six volumes "to show / He's as good as a lord," (V, 1-2). Playing on Cooper's name, Lowell likens his work to that of a barrel-maker. The result is a product that is "at the most something wooden and empty," (V, 1-2). After this scathing criticism of Cooper's work, Lowell then states that he admires the man for his being outspoken in spite of airing unpopular political views: "he has the "freedom to think," (V).