Settler Colonialism in Victorian Literature: Economics and Political Identity in the Networks of Empire

In his book "Settler Colonialism in Victorian Literature," Philip Steer explores how the emigration of nineteenth-century Britons to colonies of settlement shaped Victorian literature by highlighting the conceptual challenges to the nature of Britishness posed by colonial events and tracing the literary aftershocks in familiar genres. He also brings together literary formalism and British World history to show how what it meant to be British was re-imagined in an increasingly globalized world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 247 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the 19th century, a significant wave of British emigration occurred, as individuals sought new opportunities and a fresh start in colonies of settlement. This migration had a profound impact on Victorian literature, shaping its themes, characters, and narratives in significant ways.

One of the key ways in which the emigration of nineteenth-century Britons to colonies of settlement shaped Victorian literature was through the development of productive networks of writers and texts. Philip Steer, a scholar in the field, has argued that the novel and political economy found common colonial ground over questions of British identity. He has uncovered a rich tapestry of writers and texts that span Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, demonstrating how these colonies played a central role in shaping the literary imagination of the Victorian period.

Each chapter in Settler Colonialism in Victorian Literature highlights the conceptual challenges to the nature of Britishness posed by colonial events. From the gold rushes to invasion scares, these events raised profound questions about what it meant to be British and how the colonies fit into the broader imperial landscape. The book traces the literary aftershocks in familiar genres such as the bildungsroman and the utopia, as writers responded to the changing social, political, and cultural dynamics of the colonial world.

In addition to the well-known British novelists of the Victorian period, such as Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy, Settler Colonialism in Victorian Literature also places lesser-known colonial writers such as Catherine Spence and Julius Vogel in a new light. These writers, who were often overlooked in traditional accounts of Victorian literature, contributed unique perspectives and experiences to the literary landscape of the period. By adopting a colonial perspective, Settler Colonialism in Victorian Literature offers a fresh and nuanced understanding of the literary contributions of these writers and their role in shaping the broader cultural and political landscape of the 19th century.

One of the key themes that emerges from Settler Colonialism in Victorian Literature is the re-imagining of what it meant to be British in an increasingly globalized world. The colonies were not just distant outposts but were integral parts of the British Empire, and the emigration of Britons to these colonies brought with it a sense of cultural and political interconnectedness. As individuals encountered new cultures, languages, and environments, they began to question their own identities and the place of the British Empire in the world.

The novel, in particular, played a crucial role in this re-imagining of Britishness. Victorian novels often depicted the experiences of individuals who were caught between two worlds, as they struggled to adapt to the new cultural and social norms of the colonial world while also maintaining their connections to their homeland. These novels often explored themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of cultural exchange, as characters navigated the challenges of living in a foreign land while still holding onto their British heritage.

In addition to the exploration of identity, Settler Colonialism in Victorian Literature also sheds light on the political and economic implications of colonialism. The book demonstrates how the colonies were used as sites of exploitation and extraction, as British imperialism sought to extract resources and expand its power. At the same time, the colonies also provided opportunities for economic growth and development, as individuals and communities sought to build new lives and establish themselves in the new world.

Settler Colonialism in Victorian Literature is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and innovative approach to the study of Victorian literature. By placing Victorian studies in a colonial perspective, the book provides a wealth of insights and perspectives that challenge traditional understandings of the period. It demonstrates how the emigration of nineteenth-century Britons to colonies of settlement shaped Victorian literature in profound ways, and how the literary imagination responded to the changing social, political, and cultural dynamics of the colonial world.

In conclusion, Settler Colonialism in Victorian Literature is a must-read for anyone interested in the study of Victorian literature, colonialism, and the broader cultural and political landscape of the 19th century. By bringing together literary formalism and British World history, the book offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the literary contributions of British novelists and colonial writers, and how they shaped the re-imagining of Britishness in an increasingly globalized world.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108735858
Edition number: New ed