Romanticism and Slave Narratives: Transatlantic Testimonies (Cambridge Studies in Romanticism, Series Number 38)

Helen Thomas' study opens a new avenue for Romanticism by exploring connections with literature produced by slaves, slave owners, abolitionists and radical dissenters between 1770 and 1830. In the first major attempt to relate canonical Romantic texts to writings of the African diaspora, she investigates English literary Romanticism in the context of a transatlantic culture, and African culture in the context of eighteenth-century Britain. In so doing, she reveals an inter-textual dialogue between two diverse yet equally rich cultural spheres, and their corresponding systems of thought, epistemology and expression. Helen Thomas' Study Opens A New Avenue For Romantic Literary Studies By Exploring Connections With Literature Produced By Slaves, Slave Owners, Abolitionists And Radical Dissenters Between 1770 And 1830. In The First Major Attempt To Relate Canonical Romantic Texts To The Writings Of The African Diaspora, She Investigates English Literary Romanticism In The Context Of A Transatlantic Culture, And African Culture In The Context Of Eighteenth-century Britain. In So Doing, The Book Reveals An Intertextual Dialogue Between Two Diverse Yet Equally Rich Cultural Spheres, And Their Corresponding Systems Of Thought, Epistemology And Expression. Showing How Marginalised Slaves And Alienated Radical Dissenters Contributed To Transatlantic Debates Over Civil And Religious Liberties, Helen Thomas Remaps Romantic Literature On This Broader Canvas Of Cultural Exchanges, Geographical Migrations And Identity-transformation, In The Years Before And After The Abolition Of The Slave Trade.--jacket. 1. The English Slave Trade And Abolitionism -- 2. Radical Dissent And Spiritual Autobiography: Joanna Southcott, John Newton And William Cowper -- 3. Romanticism And Abolitionism: Mary Wollstonecraft, William Blake, Samuel Taylor Coleridge And William Wordsworth -- 4. Cross-cultural Contact: John Stedman, Thomas Jefferson And The Slaves -- 5. The Diasporic Identity: Language And The Paradigms Of Liberation -- 6. The Early Slave Narratives: Jupiter Hammon, John Marrant And Ottobah Gronniosaw -- 7. Phillis Wheatley: Poems And Letters -- 8. Olaudah Equiano's Interesting Narrative -- 9. Robert Wedderburn And Mulatto Discourse. [helen Thomas]. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 272-323) And Index. Contents......Page 10 List of illustrations......Page 11 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Introduction......Page 13 Part I......Page 27 1 The English slave trade and abolitionism......Page 29 2 Radical dissent and spiritual autobiography Joanna Southcott, John Newton and William Cowper......Page 60 3 Romanticism and abolitionism: Mary Wollstonecraft, William Blake, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth......Page 94 4 Cross-cultural contact: John Stedman, Thomas Jefferson and the slaves......Page 137 Part II......Page 167 5 The diasporic identity: language and the paradigms of liberation......Page 169 6 The early slave narratives: Jupiter Hammon, John Marrant and Ottobah Gronniosaw......Page 179 7 Phillis Wheatley: poems and letters......Page 213 8 Olaudah Equiano's Interesting Narrative......Page 238 9 Robert Wedderburn and mulatto discourse......Page 267 Notes......Page 284 B......Page 336 C......Page 337 E......Page 338 H......Page 339 M......Page 340 Q......Page 341 S......Page 342 U......Page 343 Z......Page 344 Helen Thomas's study opens a new avenue for Romantic literary studies by exploring connections with literature produced by slaves, slave owners, abolitionists and radical dissenters between 1770 and 1830. In the first major attempt to relate canonical Romantic texts to the writings of the African diaspora, she investigates English literary Romanticism in the context of a transatlantic culture, and African culture in the context of eighteenth-century Britain. In so doing, the book reveals an intertextual dialogue between two diverse yet equally rich cultural spheres, and their corresponding systems of thought, epistemology and expression. Showing how marginalised slaves and alienated radical dissenters contributed to transatlantic debates over civil and religious liberties, Helen Thomas remaps Romantic literature on this broader canvas of cultural exchanges, geographical migrations and identity-transformation, in the years before and after the abolition of the slave trade. The first major attempt to relate canonical Romantic texts to the African diaspora, this study explores connections with literature produced by slaves, slave owners, abolitionists and radical dissenters between 1770 and 1830. Thomas reveals a dialogue between two diverse cultural spheres, and their corresponding systems of thought, epistemology and expression