Romanticism, Nationalism, and the Revolt against Theory

By: David Simpson

Write A Review

Hardcover | 1 June 1993 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Hardcover
254 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
2.36 x 1.62 x 0.2

Hardcover

$262.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $65.69 with

Ships in 5 to 10 business days

Why has Anglo-American culture for so long regarded "theory" with intense suspicion? In this important contribution to the history of critical theory, David Simpson argues that a nationalist myth underlies contemporary attacks on theory. Theory's antagonists, Simpson shows, invoke the same criteria of common sense and national solidarity as did the British intellectuals who rebelled against "theory" and "method" during the French Revolution.
Simpson demonstrates the close association between "theory" and "method" and shows that by the mid-eighteenth century, "method" had acquired distinctly subversive associations in England. Attributed increasingly to the French and the Germans, "method" paradoxically evoked images both of inhuman rationality and unbridled sentimentality; in either incarnation, it was seen as a threat to what was claimed to be authentically British. Simpson develops these paradigms in relation to feminism, the gendering of Anglo-American culture, and the emergence of literature and literary criticism as antitheoretical discourses. He then looks at the Romantic poets' response to this confining ideology of the cultural role of literature. Finally, Simpson considers postmodern theory's claims for the radical energy of nonrational or antirationalist positions.
This is an essential book not only for students of the Romantic period and intellectual historians concerned with the idea of "method," but for anyone interested in the historical background of today's debates over the excesses and possibilities of "theory."

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $89.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.

For more info please visit our Help Centre.

You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction History Regional & National History European History British & Irish History Literature, Poetry & Plays History & Criticism of Literature General Literary Studies Society & Culture Cultural Studies Language & Linguistics Reference, Dictionaries & Guides

Acknowledgments
Introduction: A History for Theory
The Politics of Method Peter Ramus, Martyr The Method of the English Revolution John Wesley, Methodist
The Culture of British Common Sense Us and Them Sticking to the Facts The Trials of Reason Burke, Coleridge, and the Method of Nature
The Myth of French Excess A Nation of Philosophers System and Sensibility
The Image of Germany Conspirators and Freemasons Scandal on the Stage The Derangements of Theory
Engendering Method The Case for Female Reason A Revolution among Women
System and Literature The Sublime: A Masculine Confusion The Place of English Literature A Theory of Imprecision: Utilitarianism
A Radical Literature Plotting the Middle Ground The Wordsworth Question The Struggle with Albion's Angels: William Blake Eroticism and Futurity
Thoughts on the Present Discontents A Revolution That Will Not Finish The Problem of Theory in the Postmodern
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Romanticism, Nationalism, and the Revolt against Theory

At a Glance

Hardcover

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

More in Reference, Dictionaries & Guides

The Birding Dictionary

LET'S GO

Stories to write, stories to draw, adventures to have, and fun galore

The Writer's Room

Edited by the Booker Prize-shortlisted author of Stone Yard Devotional

Creative Writing Magic: 80 Tips and Tricks for Young Writers

The essential, funny guide to story writing, from an award-winning duo, perfect for ages 9+

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

7th edition ( APA 7 )

Australian Sign Language (Auslan)

An Introduction to Sign Language Linguistics

How to Write Psychology Reports and Assignments

10th Edition

The Elements of Style

4th Edition

NSW Targeting Handwriting : Year K

Student Book

The Story Writer's Handbook

Adventures in Creative Writing

Oxford Children's Dictionary

UK bestselling dictionaries

Concise English-Chinese Chinese-English Dictionary

5th Edition

Australian School Dictionary & Thesaurus

5th edition

The Artist's Way

A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

Reading Greek

Grammar and Exercises : 2nd Edition

Tina

The Dog Who Changed the World

The Daily Artist's Way

Creative Living Every Day

A Poetry Handbook

A Prose Guide to Understanding and Writing Poetry

Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary

6th Edition

Speak Up

How to Be a Successful Presenter and Media Spokesperson

The Communicator's Guide to Media Law and Ethics

A Handbook for Australian Professionals

Easy Spanish Step-By-Step

Master High-frequency Grammar for Spanish Proficiency - Fast!

Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish

The House That Joy Built

The beautiful & inspiring new book about creativity & overcoming our fears from the bestselling author of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart & The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding

This product is categorised by