Tradition, myth and the agrarian community : the critical reception of I'll take my stand and John Crowe Ransom's agrarian philosophy

Seeking to define aspects of John Crowe Ransoms agrarian philosophy, particularly as it relates to individuals, communities, and the traditions and myths associated with each. While critics dismissed the offering as a sentimentalized eulogy for the fantasy of antebellum culture, Ransom articulated that principles and ideas, those elements addressing the humane life lived in contemplation, were the focus of his contributions to Ill Take My Stand. This examination presents key criticisms that represent the harshest charges leveled against Ransom, and, in doing so, a context is provided in which the subtleties of the Agrarian philosophy can be contrasted with those of Industrialism. Ultimately, this examination will reveal that Ransoms philosophical position was dismissively misunderstood at Ill Take My Stands original critical reception.