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Chapter 1 - Epic Conversions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2023

Matthew Leporati
Matthew Leporati
Affiliation:
College of Mount Saint Vincent, New York City
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Summary

Chapter 1 establishes a framework for understanding how the Romantic epic served as a vital literary form for addressing the tensions raised by the evangelical revival and the development of ideologies of Christian imperialism. Identifying epic poetry as an inherently conflicted genre that at once embodies reverence towards tradition and rebellion against it, the chapter investigates unique tensions in the Romantic epic that suspend it between an exterior focus influenced by the classics and an interior orientation inspired by Milton. Examining the conflicts within and between evangelism and the secular civilizing mission, the chapter argues that tensions within the epic genre make it useful for addressing similar anxieties exposed by the development of Christian imperialism.

Keywords

Epic poetrymissionariesreligionChristianityimperialismpostcolonial theory
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Chapter
Information
Romantic Epics and the Mission of Empire , pp. 20 - 50
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Epic Conversions
  • Matthew Leporati, College of Mount Saint Vincent, New York City
  • Book: Romantic Epics and the Mission of Empire
  • Online publication: 02 November 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009285155.002
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  • Epic Conversions
  • Matthew Leporati, College of Mount Saint Vincent, New York City
  • Book: Romantic Epics and the Mission of Empire
  • Online publication: 02 November 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009285155.002
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Epic Conversions
  • Matthew Leporati, College of Mount Saint Vincent, New York City
  • Book: Romantic Epics and the Mission of Empire
  • Online publication: 02 November 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009285155.002
Available formats
×