Essaka Joshua

Taylor & Francis Group

This title was published in 2001. Pygmalion and Galatea presents an account of the development of the Pygmalion story from its origins in early Greek myth until the twentieth century. It focuses on the use of the story in nineteenth-century British literature, exploring gender issues, the nature of artistic creativity and the morality of Greek art.

The History of a Narrative in English Literature

Pygmalion and Galatea

This important contribution to both Romantic and cultural studies situates literature by Wordsworth, Southey, Hunt, Clare, and Blake within the context of folklore and popular customs associated with May Day. Romantic responses to May Day bring into focus a range of issues now regarded as central to the writing of the period - the natural world, city life, the pastoral, regional and national identities, popular culture, cultural degeneration, and cultural difference. Essaka Joshua explores new connections between these issues in the context of a set of heterogeneous cultural practices that are rooted in the traditions and activities of diverse social groups. She shows how Romantic writers have positioned themselves in relation to what has become known as the public sphere, and the way in which they articulate an understanding of the common sphere as a site of plebeian self-expression. Joshua's nuanced account acknowledges the full complexity of class formations and inter-class relationships and permits noncanonical and canonical texts such as the Prelude, Songs of Innocence and Experience, and 'The Village Minstrel' to be reinterpreted in a cultural context that has not been previously explored by literary critics.

The Romantics and the May Day Tradition

Frankenstein is one of the most popular novels from the Romantic period. This accessible study, written by a specialist in Romantic literature, examines Frankenstein within its literary and philosophical contexts. It looks closely at the range of genres from which the novel emerged, offering textual analysis of key passages from this and related texts. There is a summary of criticism on the novel, a discussion of the historical background, and a wide-ranging exploration of the literary sources. The study focuses on the moral questions that arise from the novel, investigating the range of questions that Shelley raises and offering an analysis of her answers.

Mary Shelley: Frankenstein

Pygmalion and Galatea presents an account of the development of the Pygmalion story from its origins in early Greek myth until the twentieth century. It focuses on the use of the story in nineteenth-century British literature, exploring gender issues, the nature of artistic creativity and the morality of Greek art.

Provides information on English author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797-1851) and her novel "Frankenstein," compiled by Kim A. Woodbridge. Includes biographical information, descriptions of the themes of the novel, and related essays.

The Fate of Androgyny

Mary Shelley and Frankenstein

This book provides new period-appropriate concepts for understanding Romantic-era physical disability through function and aesthetics.

Physical Disability in British Romantic Literature

Alan Moore

Ian Waites

Sarah Houghton-Walker

Simon J. White

Adam White

M. M. Mahood

Roy Vickery

Robert Heyes

Eric Robinson

Sam Ward

Donna Landry

The official Journal of the John Clare Society, published annually to reflect the interest in, and approaches to, the life and work of the poet John Clare.

Essaka Joshua

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