The Experience of Disaster in Early Modern English Literature

This book explores how literary texts from the early modern period depict environmental disasters and how they shaped English identity,led to scientific progress,and encouraged adaptation,recycling,and innovation. It is divided into three main sections: "Extreme Conditions," "Tempestuous Skies," and "Biblical Calamities."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the concept of 'disaster' through a diverse range of literary texts dating back to the early modern period. While Shakespeare's age, which was a time of colonization, undoubtedly marked a significant turning point in the relationship between men and women and nature, the present times seem to herald the arrival of environmental justice, despite the massive ecological destructions that have contributed to reshape our planet. Between then and now, a whole history of climatic disasters and their artistic depictions needs to be traced. The literary representations of eco-catastrophes, in particular, have consistently shaped the English identity and led to the progress of science and the 'advancement of learning. They have also compelled us to adapt, recycle, and innovate. How could the destructive process entailed by ecological disasters be represented on the page and transformed into a creative process encouraging meditation, preservation, and resilience in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries? To address this question, this book provides nuanced, contextualized, and insightful answers. Divided into three main sections, 'Extreme Conditions,' 'Tempestuous Skies,' and 'Biblical Calamities,' it explores the major environmental issues of our time through the lens of early modern culture and literature.

Extreme Conditions:
In this section, the book examines the literary representations of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and storms. It explores how these natural disasters have been depicted in literature and how they have influenced the cultural and societal attitudes towards nature and human resilience. The authors analyze how these texts have shaped the English identity and contributed to the development of environmental awareness and conservation efforts.

Tempestuous Skies:
The second section delves into the literary representations of atmospheric phenomena such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning storms. It explores how these natural disasters have been depicted in literature and how they have influenced the cultural and societal attitudes towards nature and human vulnerability. The authors examine how these texts have shaped the English identity and contributed to the development of disaster preparedness and response strategies.

Biblical Calamities:
The third section examines the literary representations of biblical disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and plagues. It explores how these natural disasters have been depicted in literature and how they have influenced the cultural and societal attitudes towards nature, divine intervention, and human responsibility. The authors analyze how these texts have shaped the English identity and contributed to the development of religious and ethical frameworks for dealing with environmental crises.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of the concept of 'disaster' through the lens of early modern culture and literature. It demonstrates how these texts have shaped the English identity, influenced scientific progress, and promoted environmental awareness and resilience. By examining the literary representations of eco-catastrophes, the book provides valuable insights into the ways in which humans can respond to and mitigate the impacts of environmental crises.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032225739