Travelers in Transformation Three British Writers and Their Interpretations of France in the Late Eightenth Century

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Harvey, David

Keywords

France, Britain, History, Literature, French Revolution, Travel, Travel Narrative, England

Area of Concentration

History

Abstract

France and Britain have been rivals for centuries. The two nations met as enemies in countless wars throughout the medieval and early modern periods, and they faced tensions on religious, political, and social levels. As travel between the countries became increasingly common during the eighteenth century, this animosity came to light in the genre of travel literature. In the second half of the eighteenth century, British ways of thinking about France were changing. This thesis examines how British observers in France changed from primarily using stereotypes, to finding a more comprehensive way of understanding France. This argument is played out in the works of Tobias Smollett, Arthur Young, and Helen Maria Williams. While Smollett harshly judges the French and notes that they are stereotypically barbaric, Young takes a slightly more compassionate view, and Williams finally begins to explore the French on a deeper level. The French Revolution, present in Young�s later writings, and throughout Williams� accounts, is one factor in the shifting British thought. By the end of the eighteenth century, British opinion of France is not necessarily more favorable, but it is more complex.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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