E. M. Forster and Music

This book explores the political significance of E. M. Forster's representations of music, highlighting its role in reflecting on a range of issues such as race, epistemology, colonialism, and gender. It demonstrates how Forster's musical allusions are mediated through a matrix of ideas and debates of his time, revealing an eclectic and complex ideological outlook.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This book delves into the profound political implications of E. M. Forster's representations of music, offering insightful readings of both canonical and overlooked works. It uncovers the crucial role that music plays in Forster's writing, highlighting a previously unnoticed eclecticism and complexity in his ideological outlook. Through a meticulous examination of subtle musical allusions in various Forster writings, the book demonstrates how music served as a means for Forster to explore profound themes such as race and epistemology, material culture and colonialism, literary heritage and national character, hero-worship and war, and gender and professionalism. It unveils the intricate ways in which Forster's musical representations are shaped by a matrix of ideas and debates of his time, encompassing topics such as evolution, empire, Britain's relationship with the Continent, the rise of fascism, and the emergence of musicology as an academic discipline. By delving into these interconnected themes, this book provides a fresh and insightful perspective on Forster's literary oeuvre, shedding light on his complex and multifaceted understanding of the world.

Weight: 458g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108844314