Thomas Hardy and empire : the representation of imperial themes in the work of Thomas Hardy / by Jane L. Bownas.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bownas, Jane L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928--Criticism and interpretation.

Hardy, Thomas.

Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928.

Imperialism in literature.

Criticism and interpretation.

Physical Description:

179 pages ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Burlington, VT : Ashgate, [2012]

Summary:

Joining the debate over the extent to which British domestic culture was influenced by empire, independent British scholar Bownas examines Hardy (1840-1928), an author not generally recognized as being an imperial writer, though he wrote during a period of major imperial expansion. Having written extensively about Hardy previously, she argues that he relocated characters to the colonies, not just for convenience of plot as some authors do, but to have them re-examine their feelings, beliefs, and even morality. By so doing, she says, he challenges the concept of the civilized, imperial country bringing conventional Christian morality to primitive peoples--a challenges echoed in his personal writings and poems. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents:

Colonies and colonizers

Roman invaders: the rise and fall of imperial powers

The dynasts: Hardy and the Napoleonic wars

The primitive and the civilized: pagans and colonizers in woodland and heath

The crossing of boundaries: race, class and gender as articulated categories.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781409440826

1409440826

9781409440833

1409440834

OCLC:

780415737