Writing the Poetry of Place in Britain, 1700-1807: Self in Landscape

This book explores the intrusion of personal voice into the poetry of landscape in Britain in the long eighteenth century, arguing that strong conventions stimulate original writers to overstep those bounds, resulting in verse that engages issues and energies far deeper than those of pictorial description. It makes a strong claim for the autobiographical emphasis of much eighteenth-century poetry of place and hews to close readings to identify the often subtle shifts of tone and structure that betray the workings of agendae. It supplements traditionally aesthetic and political readings of eighteenth-century British landscape poetry, suggesting that the autobiographical impulse is a distinctive and innovative feature and that the correlation of self and place is powerfully manifested in the landscape poetry of this period.

Format: Hardback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A groundbreaking exploration into the intrusion of personal voice into the poetry of landscape in Britain during the long eighteenth century, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of the subject. It begins by asserting that strong conventions, such as those found in topographical verse of the period, inspire original writers to push the boundaries of traditional poetic forms, resulting in verse that delves into issues and energies far more profound than mere pictorial description.

The book makes a compelling case for the autobiographical emphasis of much eighteenth-century poetry of place, highlighting the ways in which poets sought to express their own experiences and perspectives through their landscapes. By closely examining the text, the book reveals the often subtle shifts of tone and structure that betray the workings of agendae that may be operating beneath the surface of conventional landscape poetry.

Furthermore, the book supplements traditionally aesthetic and political readings of eighteenth-century British landscape poetry, suggesting not only that the autobiographical impulse is a distinctive and innovative feature of much great eighteenth-century poetry of place but also that the correlation of self and place, a topic of current interest to humanist geographers, is powerfully manifested in the landscape poetry of this period.

In conclusion, this book is a vital contribution to the study of eighteenth-century British literature and landscape poetry, offering new insights into the ways in which personal voice and autobiographical themes intersect with the broader cultural and historical contexts of the period. It will be of interest to scholars and students of literature, geography, and the history of ideas alike.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032188171