The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 34, August, 1860 A Magazine Of Literature, Art, And Politics

"The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 34, August, 1860" by Various is a magazine that gives a snapshot of thought and culture in the 1800s. The beginning of the magazine explores how literature has changed over time, specifically looking at the novel. It uses the nine Muses to talk about the development of literature from classic times to more modern ones. As the Muses travel to famous literary places, they discuss the differences between early writings and more modern novels. They don’t seem to think much of novels, seeing them as less artistic than older works. The conversation between the Muses points out the struggle between tradition and new ideas in writing, as they question the value of the novel while accepting that human storytelling keeps changing.