Peter V. Marinelli 
Pastoral [PDF ebook] 

First published in 1971, this book explores the theme of the pastoral in literature and the way in which it adapts itself to various forms. It examines some of the ways in which it has manifested itself, such as ‘the golden age’, ‘Arcadia’, ‘Sparta’ and childhood, whilst also identifying the central and unchanging core of meaning in the pastoral convention.