English Language and Literature ETDs

Publication Date

5-29-1953

Abstract

This study originated in the belief that the poems, plays, and novels of Henry Brooke furnish a good cross-section of the thought of eighteenth-century England. Deism, Newtonianism, mysticism, methodism, Rousseauism-- all find expression in Brooke's writing. Since on the surface it would appear that many of the ideas are contradictory and incompatible, I was interested to learn whether, chameleon like, he changed his ideas to fit each passing interest, abandoning one set of beliefs to embrace another, or whether, by means of some subtle alchemy, he was able to fuse and synthesize the apparently divergent ideas which his writings reflect. Since even a most cursory examination of his works reveals many of the characteristics and tendencies of pre-romanticism, I was also interested in ascertaining the prominence of his role in the pre-romantic movement.

Degree Name

English

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

English

First Committee Member (Chair)

Cecil Vivian Wicker

Second Committee Member

Norton Barr Crowell

Third Committee Member

Unknown

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

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