A Fable for Critics

by James Russell Lowell

"A Fable for Critics" by James Russell Lowell is a book-length satirical poem published in 1848. The work features Apollo, god of poetry, and a critic discussing the state of American literature while sitting under a laurel tree. Lowell satirizes prominent literary figures of his era, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Margaret Fuller, mixing sharp criticism with occasional praise. Published anonymously at first, the poem earned Lowell notoriety once his authorship was revealed, drawing both acclaim and controversy for its bold assessments.