The Process of Literature - An Essay Towards Some Reconsiderations

Originally published in 1929, The Process of Literature is a study of the art of letters considered from a new point of view, as a process of human activity rather than as a series of objects produced by that activity. It examines in detail "the process of literature" from the stimulus of the writer by their experience of life to the reader's reaction to what has been created as a result of that stimulus and describes just how a book comes into being. It was intended for the writer, critic, and teacher, as well as the professional psychologist.
Today it can be read in its historical context.

List of contents

Foreword. 1. Prolegomena: Art as a Function of Humanity 2. Prolegomena: Art, the Arts, and the Artist 3. The Writer at Work: A Concrete Example 4. The Writer and His Stimulus 5. The Nature of the Problem of Conveyance 6. The Writer and the Apprehension of His Theme 7. The Writer and the Discovery of His Subject 8. The Writer and the Development of His Subject 9. The Writer and the Conveyance of His Subject 10. The Writer and His Writing 11. The Reader 12. The Effect of the Process. Appendixes. Index.

About the author

Agnes Mure Mackenzie (1891-1955) was born at Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, and was a writer and historian. At the time of publication she had been English Assistant at Aberdeen University and English Lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London. In 1945 she was awarded a CBE for services to Scottish literature and Scottish history.

Product details

• Authors: Mackenzie Agnes Mure
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 02.02.2026
• EAN: 9781032904375
• ISBN: 978-1-032-90437-5
• No. of pages: 284
• Series: Routledge Revivals
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Psychology: general, reference works; LITERARY CRITICISM / General, LITERARY CRITICISM / Books & Reading, Cognition & cognitive psychology, Literary theory, Cognition and cognitive psychology