Imagination under Pressure, 1789–1832: Aesthetics, Politics and Utility (Cambridge Studies in Romanticism, Series Number 39)

This ambitious study, first published in 2000, offers a radical reassessment of one of the most important concepts of the Romantic period - the imagination. In contrast to traditional accounts, John Whale locates the Romantic imagination within the period's lively and often antagonistic polemics on aesthetics and politics. In particular he focuses on the different versions of imagination produced within British writing in response to the cultural crises of the French Revolution and the ideology of utilitarianism. Through detailed analysis of key texts by Burke, Paine, Wollstonecraft, Bentham, Hazlitt, Cobbett and Coleridge, Imagination under Pressure seeks to restore the role of imagination as a more positive force within cultural critique. The book concludes with a chapter on the afterlife of the Coleridgean imagination in the work of John Stuart Mill and I. A. Richards. As a whole it represents a timely and inventive contribution to the ongoing redefinition of Romantic literary and political culture. Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Series-title......Page 6 Title......Page 7 Copyright......Page 8 Dedication......Page 9 Contents......Page 11 Acknowledgements......Page 13 Introduction......Page 15 PART I Imagination and revolution......Page 31 I......Page 33 II......Page 34 III......Page 42 IV......Page 47 V......Page 53 I......Page 56 II......Page 57 III......Page 61 IV......Page 66 V......Page 70 VI......Page 76 I......Page 82 II......Page 84 III......Page 100 IV......Page 105 PART II Imagination and utility......Page 112 I......Page 124 II......Page 125 III......Page 138 IV......Page 144 I......Page 154 II......Page 155 III......Page 161 IV......Page 167 V......Page 172 V......Page 178 I......Page 180 II......Page 183 III......Page 186 IV......Page 191 V......Page 192 VI......Page 200 Afterword......Page 208 INTRODUCTION......Page 211 1 BURKE AND THE CIVIC IMAGINATION......Page 214 2 PAINE'S ATTACK ON ARTIFICE......Page 218 3 WOLLSTONECRAFT, IMAGINATION, AND FUTURITY......Page 222 PART II IMAGINATION AND UTILITY......Page 226 4 HAZLITT AND THE LIMITS OF THE SYMPATHETIC IMAGINATION......Page 227 5 COBBETT'S IMAGINARY LANDSCAPE......Page 231 6 COLERIDGE AND THE AFTERLIFE OF IMAGINATION......Page 236 AFTERWORD......Page 240 PRIMARY SOURCES......Page 241 SECONDARY SOURCES......Page 243 Index......Page 251 Cover 1 Half-title 3 Series-title 6 Title 7 Copyright 8 Dedication 9 Contents 11 Acknowledgements 13 Introduction 15 PART I Imagination and revolution 31 CHAPTER 1 Burke and the civic imagination 33 I 33 II 34 III 42 IV 47 V 53 CHAPTER 2 Paine鈥檚 attack on artifice 56 I 56 II 57 III 61 IV 66 V 70 VI 76 CHAPTER 3 Wollstonecraft, imagination, and futurity 82 I 82 II 84 III 100 IV 105 PART II Imagination and utility 112 4 Hazlitt and the limits of the sympathetic imagination 124 I 124 II 125 III 138 IV 144 5 Cobbett鈥檚 imaginary landscape 154 I 154 II 155 III 161 IV 167 V 172 V 178 6 Coleridge and the afterlife of imagination 180 I 180 II 183 III 186 IV 191 V 192 VI 200 Afterword 208 Notes 211 INTRODUCTION 211 1 BURKE AND THE CIVIC IMAGINATION 214 2 PAINE'S ATTACK ON ARTIFICE 218 3 WOLLSTONECRAFT, IMAGINATION, AND FUTURITY 222 PART II IMAGINATION AND UTILITY 226 4 HAZLITT AND THE LIMITS OF THE SYMPATHETIC IMAGINATION 227 5 COBBETT'S IMAGINARY LANDSCAPE 231 6 COLERIDGE AND THE AFTERLIFE OF IMAGINATION 236 AFTERWORD 240 Bibliography 241 PRIMARY SOURCES 241 SECONDARY SOURCES 243 Index 251 This Study Offers A Reassessment Of One Of The Most Important Concepts Of The Romantic Period - The Imagination. John Whale Locates The Romantic Imagination Within The Period's Lively And Often Antagonistic Polemics On Aesthetics And Politics. In Particular He Focuses On The Different Versions Of Imagination Produced Within British Writing In Response To The Cultural Crises Of The French Revolution And The Ideology Of Utilitarianism. Through Detailed Analysis Of Key Texts By Burke, Paine, Wollstonecraft, Bentham, Hazlitt, Cobbett And Coleridge, Imagination Under Pressure Seeks To Restore The Role Of Imagination As A More Positive Force Within Cultural Critique.--jacket. Burke And The Civic Imagination -- Paine's Attack On Artifice -- Wollstonecraft, Imagination, And Futurity -- Hazlitt And The Limits Of The Sympathetic Imagination -- Cobbett's Imaginary Landscape -- Coleridge And The Afterlife Of Imagination. John Whale. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 227-236) And Index. This ambitious study offers a radical reassessment of one of the most important concepts of the Romantic period--the imagination. In contrast to traditional accounts, John Whale locates the Romantic imagination within the period's lively and often antagonistic polemics on aesthetics and politics, focusing in particular on British responses to the French Revolution and the ideology of utilitarianism. Through detailed analysis of key texts by Burke, Paine, Wollstonecraft, Bentham, Hazlitt, Cobbett and Coleridge, this book seeks to restore the role of imagination as a more positive force within cultural critique. This book, first published in 2000, offers a radical reassessment of one of the most important topics of the Romantic period. John Whale's study of the Romantic imagination focuses on the period's lively and often antagonistic polemics on aesthetics and politics, analysing texts by Burke, Paine, Wollstonecraft, Bentham, Hazlitt, Cobbett and Coleridge. In his Reflections on the Revolution in France Burke politicises and depoliticises the imagination.