History of 1930s British Literature

This book explores 1930s British literature by repositioning the decade at the heart of twentieth-century literary history, covering a diverse cast of characters, geographical and sexual identities, new media landscapes, institutional settings, commitment, and autonomy, and international entanglements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 474 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive history of 1930s British literature presents a fresh and nuanced perspective on a decade often perceived as an anomaly in literary history. The 1930s have been characterized as a period of low morals, a failed experiment in blending art and politics, or a belated manifestation of late modernism following the intense artistic experimentation of the 1920s. However, the contributors to this volume challenge these perceptions by reorienting the decade and its defining concerns at the center of twentieth-century literary discourse. By expanding the range of writers covered, the book goes beyond a narrow focus on towering canonical figures and incorporates a more diverse cast of characters, encompassing various racial, gender, class, and artistic expressions.

The book is organized into four sections that highlight the distinctive geographical and sexual identities of the 1930s, the new media landscapes and institutional settings in which its writers operated, the themes of commitment and autonomy, and the international entanglements of British writing. Each section delves into the complexities and nuances of the decade, providing a rich and multifaceted understanding of its literary landscape.

In the first section, the contributors explore the geographical identities of the 1930s, highlighting the impact of World War II and the rise of fascism on British society. They examine the ways in which writers responded to these political and social upheavals, exploring themes of displacement, isolation, and the search for a new national identity. The section also explores the influence of travel and exploration on British literature, with writers such as Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster drawing on their experiences abroad to shape their narratives and explore the complexities of cultural exchange.

The second section focuses on the new media landscapes of the 1930s, particularly the rise of radio, cinema, and television. The contributors analyze how these media platforms shaped the writing of the decade, exploring the ways in which writers used them to convey their messages and explore new forms of artistic expression. They also examine the ways in which these media platforms influenced public discourse and cultural values, highlighting the ways in which they contributed to the formation of a new social and political consciousness.

The third section explores the themes of commitment and autonomy in 1930s British literature. The contributors examine the ways in which writers negotiated the demands of political and social conformity, as well as the pressures of artistic experimentation and commercial success. They explore the ways in which writers sought to maintain their artistic integrity and express their personal beliefs while navigating the complex social and cultural landscape of the decade. The section also examines the role of women writers in the 1930s, highlighting their contributions to the literary landscape and their struggle for recognition and equality.

The fourth section examines the international entanglements of 1930s British literature, exploring the ways in which the decade's literary production was influenced by global events and cultural movements. The contributors analyze the ways in which British writers responded to the rise of fascism in Europe, the rise of communism in the Soviet Union, and the emergence of new literary forms and genres in other parts of the world. They also examine the ways in which British literature influenced the development of international literature and cultural exchange, highlighting the ways in which the 1930s was a period of significant literary innovation and cross-pollination.

In conclusion, this history of 1930s British literature offers a fresh and comprehensive perspective on a decade that has often been misunderstood and marginalized. By repositioning the decade and its characteristic concerns at the heart of twentieth-century literary history, the contributors to this volume have expanded the range of writers covered and shed light on the complexities and nuances of the literary landscape of the 1930s. The book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of British literature and its place in global literary history.

Weight: 808g
Dimension: 231 x 143 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108474535