Defoe`s Britain

Focusing on Daniel Defoe, Jeremy Black explores the late 1600s in Britain, revealing how Defoe's works reflect the nation's struggles and identity. Black portrays Defoe as an outsider and a traveler, whose diverse interests and engagement with various social classes prefigure later literary figures. The narrative emphasizes Defoe's dual role as an observer and storyteller, blending historical reality with imaginative storytelling. Through this lens, Black offers a nuanced understanding of British nationalism and the moral complexities of Defoe's time.