
Islands and the Modernists
The Allure of Isolation in Art, Literature and Science
Jill Franks(Author)
McFarland & Co Inc (Publisher)
Published on 25. July 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
216 pages
978-0-7864-2457-3 (ISBN)
Description
This study examines five modernists in different disciplines--biology, painting, drama, fiction, and anthropology--whose work on islands made them famous. Charles Darwin challenged every presumption of popular science with his theory of evolution by natural selection, derived from his study of the Galapagos Islands. Paul Gauguin found on Tahiti inspiration enough to break through the inhibiting traditions of the Parisian art world. John Millington Synge's experience on the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland gave birth to a new style of drama that defied classic divisions between tragedy and comedy. D.H. Lawrence's life-long search for a utopian community culminated in his famous short story, "The Man Who Loved Islands," that poignantly portrays the tension between idealism and realism, solitude and human intimacy. Finally, Margaret Mead began her career in anthropology by studying the remote South Sea Islands and through her work acquired the sobriquet "Mother of the World."
The text explores the extent to which islands inspired these radical thinkers to perform innovative work. Each used islands differently, but similar phenomena affected their choice of place and the outcome of their projects. Their examples illuminate the relationship of modernism to alienation and insularity.
The text explores the extent to which islands inspired these radical thinkers to perform innovative work. Each used islands differently, but similar phenomena affected their choice of place and the outcome of their projects. Their examples illuminate the relationship of modernism to alienation and insularity.
Reviews / Votes
"well-researched"-The D.H. Lawrence Review.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
12 photos (4 in color), notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
295 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-2457-3 (9780786424573)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Jill Franks teaches English literature and film at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
I: Introduction: The Lure of Isolation
II. "Isolated Countries": Darwin and the Galapagos
III: "To Dream Before Nature": Gauguin in Tahiti
IV: "Those Three Lonely Rocks": John Millington Synge and the Aran Islands
V: "The Man Who Loved Islands": D. H. Lawrence and His Island Scheme
VI: "The Cure for a Family Is a Family": Margaret Mead and Samoa
VII: Island Dreams: Pitcairn as Paradigm
Notes and Works Cited
Index
Acknowledgments
Preface
I: Introduction: The Lure of Isolation
II. "Isolated Countries": Darwin and the Galapagos
III: "To Dream Before Nature": Gauguin in Tahiti
IV: "Those Three Lonely Rocks": John Millington Synge and the Aran Islands
V: "The Man Who Loved Islands": D. H. Lawrence and His Island Scheme
VI: "The Cure for a Family Is a Family": Margaret Mead and Samoa
VII: Island Dreams: Pitcairn as Paradigm
Notes and Works Cited
Index