The Agency of Objects in English Prose, 1789-1832: Conspicuous Things

The Agency of Objects in English Prose,1789–1832 explores how object agency was perceived in the nineteenth century, focusing on how objects were seen as aids, intermediaries, adversaries, and obstructions, as well as intimately connected to humans and strangely alien.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 247 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The Agency of Objects in English Prose, 1789-1832: Conspicuous Things delves into the captivating realm of new materialist methodologies, exploring the evolving perceptions of nonhuman agency in English prose during the turn of the nineteenth century. Through a comprehensive examination of a diverse range of texts, including it-narratives, Jane Austen's juvenile writings, De Quincey's autobiographical writings, and silver fork novels, Nikolina Hatton unveils the intricate ways in which object agency is perceived during this period. She demonstrates that object agency is not merely limited to human subjectivity but also plays a vital role in aesthetic creation. In these novels and short prose works, objects emerge as multifaceted entities, functioning as aids, intermediaries, adversaries, and even obstructions. They exist in intimate connection with humans, yet also possess a strangely alien quality. Through meticulous close readings, the book unravels the intricate tapestry of object agency, revealing how it can be both perceived as a threat by authors and characters, yet also cherished as a source of delightful surprises, both in everyday life and in narrative. This insightful exploration sheds light on the complex interplay between human and nonhuman agency, offering a fresh perspective on the literary and cultural landscape of the nineteenth century.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030491130
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020