Allegory in Enlightenment Britain: Literary Abominations

The Palgrave Pivot explores how Enlightenment writers adapted allegory to the cultural changes of the time, breaking it up into parts to combine it with other genres and analyzing it with scientific precision. This reflects the effects of empiricism, secularization, and a modern aesthetic, making allegory a flexible and protean literary form.

Format: Hardback
Length: 99 pages
Publication date: 03 December 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This Palgrave Pivot delves into the profound significance of allegory in the writings of the Enlightenment era. While eighteenth-century allegory has often been disregarded as an inadequate form, both in its historical context and in subsequent scholarly assessments, this concise book unveils the remarkable ways in which Enlightenment writers adapted allegory to the ever-evolving cultural landscape. It explores how these writers approached allegory with scientific precision, dissecting it into its constituent parts and seamlessly integrating it with other literary genres. These experimental explorations in allegory bore witness to the profound impact of empiricism, secularization, and a modern aesthetic that were reshaping the Enlightenment culture. By drawing upon a diverse array of examples, encompassing classic works of the genre, eighteenth-century texts, and periodicals, this book makes a compelling argument that the eighteenth century played a pivotal role in shaping allegory into the versatile and adaptable literary form it remains today. Through its meticulous analysis and thoughtful exploration, this Pivot offers a fresh perspective on the enduring legacy of allegory in Enlightenment literature and its enduring relevance in the broader literary landscape.

Weight: 289g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031190353
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022