Image for Pastoral

Pastoral

Part of the The new critical idiom series
See all formats and editions

Terry Gifford clarifies the different uses of pastoral, and traces the history of the genre from its classical origins in the poetic dialogues of supposed shepherds, to Elizabethan dramas such as The Winters Tale, through the pastoral poetry of Pope, Wordsworth and Clare, to the more recent rural novels and contemporary American nature writing.

Beginning with constructions of Arcadia, the book traces the pastoral impulse of retreat and return using a combination of close reading of quoted texts, cultural studies and eco-criticism.

A theory of escape from this circular tension is offered in the final discussion of texts that are post-pastoral, and Gifford argues that some writers have discovered ways of reconnecting us with our natural environment in an attempt to heal our alienation from nature.

Pastor is an accessible, succinct and up-to-date introductory text to the history, major writers and critical issues of this genre.

Students will find it essential reading.

Read More
Title Unavailable: Out of Print

The title has been replaced.To check if this specific edition is still available please contact Customer Care +44(0)1482 384660 or schools.services@brownsbfs.co.uk, otherwise please click 9781138124844 to take you to the new version.

This title has been replaced View Replacement
Product Details
Routledge
0415147336 / 9780415147330
Paperback / softback
05/08/1999
United Kingdom
English
xii, 186p.
20 cm
postgraduate /research & professional /undergraduate Learn More