Hardy, Stephen Paul (2001) Place and its relations in late twentieth century cultural theory and British fiction. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The dissertation presents a descriptive analysis of aspects of British fictional
writing prefaced by a comparative analysis of cultural theory concerned with
questions of place and socio-spatial relations-The general aim is to show how
both the theory and the fiction negotiate elements of a relational poetics and
politics of place in the context of negatively homogenizing tendencies in socioeconomic
developments during the last thirty years of the twentieth century. In
the first part, the writers of cultural theory are divided into three preliminary
areas, covering primarily Marxist, post-structuralist and environmentalist
approaches to questions of place and its relations. The second and third
parts then provide more detailed consideration of novels by Raymond Williams
and lain Sinclair which have so far not been accorded substantial critical
attention. The aim is to show how their approaches in the novels considered
converge with aspects of the theory discussed in the opening part of the
dissertation. In all cases, the writers are presented as producing 'partial
mappings'. These are seen as offering perspectives of sufficient scope to
provide effective criticism of, and possible alternatives to, negative and
disorientating aspects of social relations affected by tendencies in capital
accumulation which might be seen as endangering elements of social justice and
equality, cultural heterogeneity, and ecological viability. The first part includes
consideration of the poet Charles Olson and a related aim is to suggest how
novels such as those by Williams and Sinclair might provide a significant
complement to both theory and modem epic poetry in relation to questions of
place.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) P Language and Literature > PR English literature
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	English fiction -- 20th century, Place (Philosophy), Place (Philosophy) in literature, Williams, Raymond -- Criticism and interpretation, Sinclair, Iain, 1943- -- Criticism and interpretation
Official Date:	September 2001
Dates:	Date Event September 2001 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Centre for Translation and Comparative Cultural Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Bassnett, Susan ; Collie, Michael
Extent:	[v], 276 leaves
Language:	eng

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