Walter Scott and ModernityWalter Scott and Modernity argues that, far from turning away from modernity to indulge a nostalgic vision of the past, Scott uses the past as means of exploring key problems in the modern world.This study includes critical introductions to some of the most widely read poems published in nineteenth-century Britain (which are also the most scandalously neglected), and insights into the narrative strategies and ideological interests of some of Scott's greatest novels. It explores the impact of the French revolution on attitudes to tradition, national heritage, historical change and modernity in the romantic period, considers how the experience of empire influenced ideas about civilized identity, and how ideas of progress could be used both to rationalise the violence of empire and to counteract demands for political reform. It also shows how current issues of debate - from relations between Western and Islamic cultures, to the political significance of the private conscience in a liberal society - are |
Contents
| 1 | |
Chapter 2 Towards the Modern Nation | 30 |
Chapter 3 The Condition of England | 67 |
Chapter 4 Western Identities and the Orient | 89 |
Chapter 5 Commerce Civilisation War and the Highlands | 121 |
Scott and Covenanting Tradition | 151 |
Liberty or Alienation? | 188 |
Chapter 8 Postscript | 218 |
| 222 | |
| 244 | |
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Common terms and phrases
allows appears argues associated assumed attempts authority become begins Britain British century Christian civil civilised claims commerce comparable concern condition contemporary conventional corruption Covenanting critical culture described difference directly displaced distinction Edinburgh effects empire English enlightenment established example experience exposes feelings female feudal fiction figure finds forces French give helped hero highland humanity identity imagined India individual influence interests issue kind language liberal liberty Mannering means memory military modern moral Morton narrative narrator natural notes novel offers once past patriotic perspective political popular present progress provides readers reading realm references refined reflects relations relationship represented resistance respect response rise role romance Scotland Scots Scott Scottish seems seen sense shows social society suggests tion tradition transformation understanding violence virtue Waverley writers