Essays Toward a Symbolic of Motives, 1950-1955

Set against the backdrop of 1959, the correspondence between William Rueckert and Kenneth Burke reveals the anticipation and anxiety surrounding Burke's unfinished work, A Symbolic of Motives. Rueckert seeks clarity on the book's content and structure as he completes his own project on Burke's theories. Their exchanges highlight the complexities of artistic creation and collaboration, ultimately leading to Rueckert taking on the responsibility of compiling Burke's ideas. This dynamic illustrates the challenges and intricacies of intellectual partnership.