The Historical Imagination Of G.k. Chesterton: Locality, Patriotism, And Nationalism (studies In Major Literary Authors)
by Joseph R. McCleary /
2009 / English / PDF
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This study examines a selection of Chesterton’s novels, poetry,
and literary criticism and outlines the distinctive philosophy of
history that emerges from these writings. Looking at Chesteron's
relationship with and influence upon authors including William
Cobbett, Sir Walter Scott, Belloc, Shaw, H.G. Wells, Christopher
Dawson, Evelyn Waugh, and Marshall McLuhan, McCleary contends
that Chesterton’s recurring use of the themes of locality,
patriotism, and nationalism embodies a distinctive understanding
of what gives history its coherence. The study concludes that
Chesterton’s emphasis on locality is the hallmark of his
historical philosophy in that it blends the concepts of free
will, specificity, and creatureliness which he uses to make sense
of history.
This study examines a selection of Chesterton’s novels, poetry,
and literary criticism and outlines the distinctive philosophy of
history that emerges from these writings. Looking at Chesteron's
relationship with and influence upon authors including William
Cobbett, Sir Walter Scott, Belloc, Shaw, H.G. Wells, Christopher
Dawson, Evelyn Waugh, and Marshall McLuhan, McCleary contends
that Chesterton’s recurring use of the themes of locality,
patriotism, and nationalism embodies a distinctive understanding
of what gives history its coherence. The study concludes that
Chesterton’s emphasis on locality is the hallmark of his
historical philosophy in that it blends the concepts of free
will, specificity, and creatureliness which he uses to make sense
of history.
