Famous Authors (Men)Harkins, E. F. (Edward Francis)
General
Famous Authors (Men)
Harkins, E. F. (Edward Francis)
Authors, American -- 19th century -- Biography
So, it was some time before "Marse Chan" was succeeded by "Meh Lady,"
"Unc' Edinburg's Drowndin'," "Polly" and "Ole 'Stracted." It was said
in those days that the stories were like variations on a single theme;
but we are inclined to agree with the critic who said: "For this we
feel no disposition to quarrel with Mr. Page, being eager to hear the
tale as often as he may find ways to tell it, and grateful to him for
such beautiful and faithful pictures of a society now become portion
and parcel of the irrevocable past." To Mr. Page and his equally
delightful contemporary, Mr. Joel Chandler Harris, the reading public
is indebted for no small number of the most charming features of
American literature.
It may please those who enjoy particulars to know that the popular
writer regards "Unc' Edinburgh Drowndin'," which was first to follow
"Marse Chan," as his best picture of Virginia life. Mr. Page, in
1886, married Miss Anne Seddon Bruce, the daughter of Charles Bruce
of Charlotte County, Virginia, largely for whose entertainment he had
written his early stories; and before the death of Mrs. Page in 1888
Mr. Page had written "Meh Lady" and had published "In Ole Virginia," a
collection of his works, all in dialect.
In those days, by the way, his work was often compared by the critics
with the work of Mr. Harris. Perhaps the fairest comparison was made by
Mr. Coleman, who admired the two authors quite equally.
"Mr. Page," said the critic, "enjoys the reputation of having written
the most exquisite story of the war that has yet appeared ("Marse
Chan"). In comparison with the works of Joel Chandler Harris, though
both authors deal with the negro, the one in no wise interferes with
the proper appreciation of the other. In Uncle Remus Mr. Harris has
given us the truer insight into the character of the type to which he
belongs, while the venerable family servant is somewhat idealized by
Mr. Page, and, moreover, is made to tell a story possessing a value and
interest of its own not entirely dependent upon the personality of the
narrator and his race peculiarities. In the matter of dialect, Mr. Page
has the advantage, though this may be due, in part, to the difference
between the Virginia negro and his brother of Georgia."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account