Revolutionary Imaginings in the 1790s : Charlotte Smith, Mary Robinson, Elizabeth Inchbald

"Focusing in particular on the novels, poetry and drama of Charlotte Smith, Mary Robinson and Elizabeth Inchbald, this study examines the literary response by progressive women writers in Britain in the 1790s to the French Revolution and its aftermath, and to the concurrent struggle for domestic reform"--Provided by publisher. Revolutionary Imaginings in the 1790s discusses the work of three prominent women writers by focusing on the response to the French Revolution and the struggle for reform in Britain. Examining previously-neglected texts as well as more familiar ones, the book contributes to our understanding of a period of intense political and literary engagement. In recent years, eighteenth-century and Romantic-era women's writing has received increasing critical attention. This book expands current scholarship by providing in-depth readings of the works of three prominent writers of the 1790s. It includes discussions of previously neglected texts as well as more familiar ones and explores in particular the way Charlotte Smith, Mary Robinson and Elizabeth Inchbald engage with the prominent political issues of the revolutionary decade: the French Revolution, the reform movement in Britain, the place of women in society. By examining the work of these writers in the different genres of poetry, novels, drama and political tracts, this book contributes to our understanding of an important historical period and a scene of cultural production within it Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-12 Precarious Bread: Charlotte Smith I....Pages 13-43 “A Disciple of a Better System”: Charlotte Smith II....Pages 44-68 “Poetry [and] Politics”: Mary Robinson I....Pages 69-95 “The Best and the Wisest”: Mary Robinson II....Pages 96-121 “Newgate Before My Eyes”: Elizabeth Inchbald I....Pages 122-146 “Under a Despotic Government”: Elizabeth Inchbald II....Pages 147-177 Conclusion....Pages 178-180 Back Matter....Pages 181-242

Focusing in particular on the novels, poetry and drama of Charlotte Smith, Mary Robinson and Elizabeth Inchbald, this study examines the literary response by progressive women writers in Britain in the 1790s to the French Revolution and its aftermath, and to the concurrent struggle for domestic reform.