Here's a breakdown of what "literary fortune" can encompass:
* Popularity: How widely read a book is at different points in history. Some books experience brief periods of fame, while others enjoy lasting popularity.
* Critical reception: The opinions of literary critics and scholars on a work's merits, style, themes, and significance. Critical acclaim can significantly influence a book's reception and influence its literary fortune.
* Cultural impact: How a book contributes to societal conversations, influences artistic movements, or inspires other works of art. Some books become cultural touchstones, while others have a more subtle or niche influence.
* Rediscovery and revival: The process of a book being brought back to public attention after a period of obscurity, often due to new scholarly interpretations, social shifts, or a renewed interest in the author's work.
Factors influencing literary fortune:
* Historical context: Social, political, and cultural conditions can impact how a book is received and interpreted.
* Literary movements and trends: A book's place within a specific literary movement or trend can influence its reception.
* Author's reputation: The author's standing in the literary world can affect the initial and lasting impact of their work.
* Adaptations and translations: Film, television, or theatrical adaptations can bring a book to a wider audience and extend its influence.
* Availability and accessibility: The ease with which a book can be found and read influences its potential audience.
Examples:
* Shakespeare: His plays were initially popular and successful but then experienced a decline in popularity before becoming critically acclaimed and experiencing a resurgence in the 18th and 19th centuries.
* Jane Austen: Her novels were initially well-received but gradually gained wider recognition and critical acclaim throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
* The Bible: A timeless text with enduring cultural influence, experiencing periods of religious and societal prominence throughout history.
In essence, "literary fortune" highlights the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the relationship between a book, its readers, and the changing cultural landscape. It emphasizes that a book's fate is not simply a matter of its initial reception but rather a continuous evolution shaped by the passage of time and the shifting tides of society.