Afterlife of Enclosure: British Realism, Character, and the Commons

The Afterlife of Enclosure explores how the enclosure of the commons in Britain transformed lands, labor, and public life over a long period, leading to the development of new literary forms to capture the experience. It reconceives the realist novel as a witness to enclosure and a bearer of utopian energies, highlighting the common at the heart of the novel and offering a radical path forward in the face of contemporary challenges.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 256 pages
\n Publication date: 27 April 2021
\n Publisher: Stanford University Press
\n

The enclosure of the commons, a vast expanse of land once accessible to the public, was a gradual and insidious process that unfolded over centuries, profoundly shaping the landscape, livelihoods, and fundamental notions of public life. This transformative phenomenon extended into the nineteenth century, leaving a lasting impact on society.

In her groundbreaking work, The Afterlife of Enclosure, Carolyn Lesjak delves into the narratives of three influential British writers: Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy. These authors, as witnesses to the protracted and far-reaching effects of enclosure, sought to capture the lived experiences of this historical era through new literary forms.

This study challenges the conventional notion of the realist novel as an outdated artifact, instead presenting it as a poignant witness to the material and environmental dispossession caused by enclosure. It reveals the novel's potential as a bearer of utopian energies, as these writers reimagined the commons as a space dedicated to the collective nature of the social world.

Lesjak's exploration of the common within the novel takes readers on a journey, unearthing the essence of this lost commons that once defined the British landscape and political imagination. She reveals an experimental figuration of the commons, highlighting its presence in both common characters and commonplace events. By illuminating the common at the heart of the novel, Lesjak offers a radical perspective on the ongoing challenges of privatization, climate change, new enclosures, and other forms of slow violence that plague our global society today.

Through her meticulous analysis, Lesjak demonstrates how literature of historical trauma can provide a roadmap for navigating the complexities of our present moment. She invites readers to look back to a past era of dispossession and exploitation, seeking inspiration and guidance in confronting the ongoing struggles for social justice and environmental sustainability.

The Afterlife of Enclosure is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the long-term consequences of enclosure and offers a fresh perspective on the power of literature to shape our understanding of history and the future. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complex relationship between land, labor, and the public sphere, and in seeking alternative visions for a more equitable and sustainable world.

\n Weight: 392g\n
Dimension: 229 x 216 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781503627819\n \n