Masculinity, Militarism and Eighteenth-Century Culture, 1689-1815

This book discusses the nature of masculinity in eighteenth-century literature and culture through the figure of the military man.

List of contents

Introduction: debating military masculinity; 1. The military man and Augustan anxieties: Trenchard, Steele, Boswell; 2. Performing military professionalism: the trials of admirals Thomas Mathews and Richard Lestock, 1744-6; 3. The new old military hero: the trial of Admiral John Byng, 1756-7; 4. The military man and the return to the Gothic past: Hume, Hurd, Walpole; 5. The military man and the culture of sensibility: Smith, Ferguson, Mackenzie; 6. Making military celebrity: the trials of Admirals Keppel and Palliser, 1778-9; 7. (De)romanticizing military heroism: Clarke, Southey, Austen; Conclusion: rethinking military masculinity; Bibliography; Index.

About the author

Julia Banister is a Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the School of Cultural Studies and Humanities, Leeds Beckett University.

Summary

This book investigates ideas surrounding the figure of the military man throughout the eighteenth century. Drawing on printed materials and case studies, such as the court martial of Admiral John Byng, Julia Banister discusses the nature of masculinity in relation to cultural values attached to heroism, professionalism, politeness and sensibility.

Product details

• Authors: Julia Banister, Julia (Leeds Beckett University) Banister, Banister Julia
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2020
• EAN: 9781316646670
• ISBN: 978-1-316-64667-0
• No. of pages: 266
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > English linguistics / literary studies; military history, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, Literary studies: fiction, novelists & prose writers, Literary studies: fiction, novelists and prose writers, Gender studies: men and boys, Gender Studies: Men, C 1700 To C 1800