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Cover of The literature of kissing : $b gleaned from history, poetry, fiction, and anecdote

The literature of kissing : $b gleaned from history, poetry, fiction, and anecdote

Written by Charles C. (Charles Carroll) Bombaugh

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Kissing

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About this book

"The Literature of Kissing" by C. C. Bombaaugh is a historical and literary treatise, likely written in the late 19th century. This engaging work dives into the cultural significance and diverse representations of kissing throughout history, poetry, drama, and anecdotes, capturing its multifaceted roles in human relationships. The book aims to explore the historical, poetic, and anecdotal instances of kisses across various contexts, emphasizing their universal resonance in love, affection, and social customs. The opening of this volume sets the stage for an extensive exploration of kisses, starting from biblical references and traversing through literature to modern interpretations. It begins with a reflection on the historical context of kissing, citing notable instances from the Bible and significant literary figures, while emphasizing the emotional weight and symbolism attached to kisses throughout different eras. The author also mentions various cultural practices and their implications, indicating that this compilation will span a wide array of human experiences related to kissing, suggesting an engaging tapestry of emotions and societal norms waiting to be uncovered in the subsequent chapters.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The literature of kissing : $b gleaned from history, poetry, fiction, and anecdote, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • erudite
  • charming
  • historical

Charles C. Bombaugh's "The Literature of Kissing" is a fascinating late 19th-century historical and literary treatise that meticulously explores the multifaceted significance of kissing across human history and culture. Drawing from a vast array of sources including biblical texts, classical literature, poetry, drama, and anecdotal accounts, the book compiles diverse representations of this universal gesture. Bombaugh delves into the varying roles of kisses in human relationships, from expressions of profound love and affection to social customs, acts of betrayal, and gestures of reverence. The work stands as a comprehensive compendium, illuminating how kissing has been understood, portrayed, and practiced throughout different eras and societies, emphasizing its enduring emotional weight and symbolic power.

“The kiss, in its myriad forms, is a universal language, transcending epochs and geographies, a testament to the enduring human need for connection.”

Key themes

The Universality and Diversity of Human Affection
This theme explores how the act of kissing, while seemingly universal, manifests in incredibly diverse ways across cultures and throughout history, reflecting a spectrum of human emotions from tender love to profound respect or even betrayal. Bombaugh meticulously documents this variety, showcasing how the core human need for connection finds expression in myriad forms of physical affection.
The Symbolic Power of the Kiss
This theme delves into how a simple physical act can be imbued with profound symbolic meaning, representing everything from love and fidelity to betrayal, reverence, and reconciliation. Bombaugh illustrates how literature and history have consistently used the kiss as a potent symbol to convey complex human states and relationships, far beyond its literal physical sensation.
Social Ritual and Custom
This theme examines the kiss not merely as an expression of emotion but as a structured component of social interaction, governed by customs, etiquette, and historical norms. Bombaugh explores how kissing serves as a ritualized greeting, a farewell, a sign of social status, or a formal component of ceremonies, highlighting its role in maintaining social order and expressing communal bonds.

Worth discussing

How does Bombaugh's selection of 'literature' define the scope of his study, and what might be missing from a modern perspective?

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