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Owen Barfield
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Poetic Diction: A Study in Meaning Kindle Edition

by Owen Barfield (Author), Howard Nemerov (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 68 ratings
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The philosophical treatise on aesthetics and language that inspired T. S. Eliot, C. S. Lewis, and many others.

In Poetic Diction, Owen Barfield sought to understand why certain groups of words were given the designation of “poetry,” and how they convey meaning and pleasure to the attentive reader. Touching on the philosophy of language and the nature of consciousness, Barfield provides not only a theory of poetic diction, but also a speculation on poetry and knowledge. Ranging across fundamental topics of poetics, Barfield sheds light on the nature of metaphor, aesthetic imagination, the difference between verse and prose, and the essence of meaning itself.
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  1. Print length
    189 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Open Road Media
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 2024
  6. File size
    1810 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CR8ZSY98
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media (January 1, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1810 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 189 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 68 ratings

About the author

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Owen Barfield

Owen Barfield

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Owen Barfield is one of the twentieth century’s most significant writers and philosophers.

Widely renowned for his insight and literary artistry, Barfield addresses key concerns of the sciences, humanities, social sciences, and arts in our time. His fellow Inklings, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, are among the leading figures influenced by Barfield’s work.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
68 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

ZS.Bfarm
5.0 out of 5 stars It’s good enough for CS Lewis
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2022
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It’s been recommended by CS Lewis and JR Tolkien, what more do you need?
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CJG SANTA
5.0 out of 5 stars Deep Thoughts
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2022
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Great book, amazing message a worthwhile read.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent condition
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2022
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Prompt delivery and book is in excellent condition.
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Dee
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2017
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What a great read for people of faith and language who want to dig deeper into the meaning of the words, Psalms and various aspects of language in the Bible and in general. Fans of C.S. Lewis will love it because there are so many shadows of his work and how he writes in this book.
5 people found this helpful
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E S HENRY
5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Language
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2013
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Owen makes the case that poetic diction is basic to all communication, not just poems. All the poetic devices are essential to ordinary English.
2 people found this helpful
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SOTIRIOS D. KOTSOPOULOS
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2016
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tem arrived promptly and in excellent condition, as described. Thank you!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars this is great book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2016
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For the serious writer, this is great book!
One person found this helpful
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Dexter Haven
2.0 out of 5 stars Second-rate philosophy
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2020
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This guy is like a pompous English major trying to be a philosopher of language like Wittgenstein and blowing it. This book is overrated. Unbearable after a while. Vacuity dressed up.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Corrado Roeper
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading
Reviewed in Italy on July 25, 2023
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Despite the book being written so many years ago, it challenges the 21st century reader to consider reality in a different way - thus opening new vistas in our quest for wisdom.
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FJR Otto
5.0 out of 5 stars For a book so many decades old, it is highly relevant.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2022
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I bought it, in order to be better able to defend my belief that Poetry is materially different from Prose, and that setting out the prosaic to ape the way poetry is set out, does nothing to enhance it.
3 people found this helpful
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Frank Faulk
5.0 out of 5 stars The transformative power of poetry is illuminated in Barfield’s book.
Reviewed in Canada on March 21, 2019
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This book was key to me understanding and appreciating the transformative power of poetry.
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Amazing
5.0 out of 5 stars Pas assez reconnu mais la référence.
Reviewed in France on April 1, 2019
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Un commentaire incontournable sur le sens et l'importance de la démarche poétique. Poésie anglaise bien sûr mais plusieurs références aux poètes français.
Très touchant et inspirant.
Anglais de bon niveau mais surtout vocabulaire spécifique rapidement acquis. Bonne lecture.
One person found this helpful
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stella newbery
5.0 out of 5 stars A thought provoking Linguistic theory.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2018
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An important classic text for Linguists and Philosophers alike. An alternative theory of the origins of language. Not necessarily easily understood, but nevertheless a thought-provoking theory which is well-argued and presented and not readily dismissed.
3 people found this helpful
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