Exploring the intersection of literature and folklore, this work examines how Romantic poets like Wordsworth, Southey, Hunt, Clare, and Blake engage with May Day customs. Essaka Joshua highlights their positioning within the public sphere and their portrayal of the common sphere as a venue for plebeian self-expression, revealing the cultural significance of these literary works in relation to popular traditions.
The narrative delves into the Pygmalion and Galatea myth as it appears in nineteenth-century British literature, examining how it reflects gender issues and the complexities of artistic creativity. It also addresses the moral implications of Greek art, offering a critical analysis of its influence on contemporary thought and societal norms. Through this exploration, the book provides insight into the intersection of art and ethics during a pivotal era in literature.
This book is for Romantic era scholars/students interested in revising their view on major Romantic texts by reading with sensitivity to ideas and concepts around disability; and for literary disability studies' scholars and students wishing to extend their understanding of the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries.