Hermsprong

Hermsprong

Hermsprong or Man as he is not is the 1796 philosophical novel by Robert Bage.

It is the main work for which he is remembered and was his last novel.

Plot introduction

Although regarded as radical at the time, the novel is somewhat disjointed. The first section of the novel is a wit novel with a strong philosophical content. However, it then turns to a sentimental novel form and follows a romance.

Plot summary

The philosophical challenge of the novel is that it concerns an American who has been raised entirely by American Indians, without either formal education or religion. With only nature to teach him, he sees through the hypocrisy of society and English manners. It is notable for pursuing the theme of the noble savage and, in particular, nativism. When the novel exchanges social satire for a love story, however, it loses any power to debunk educational and classist abuses.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Robert Bage (novelist) — Robert Bage (1728 September 1, 1801), English novelist, born in Derbyshire, was the son of a paper maker and was himself a papier. For a time he lived in Elford, Staffordshire. It was not until he was 53 that he took to literature; but in the 15… …   Wikipedia

  • 1796 in literature — Events*Samuel Taylor Coleridge publishes his periodical The Watchman *William Henry Ireland publishes his Shakespearean forgeries in his Miscellaneous Papers and Legal Instruments Under the Hand and Seal of William Shakespeare. Ireland s forged… …   Wikipedia

  • Elford — is a village in Staffordshire, east of Lichfield and north of Tamworth. It is situated on the east bank of the River Tame.The village is said to have derived its name from the great number of eels with which the river here formerly abounded.… …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of Mary Wollstonecraft — Mary Wollstonecraft by John Opie (c. 1791) This timeline lists important events relevant to the life of Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797), a British writer, philosopher, and feminist …   Wikipedia

  • Cronología de Jane Austen — Anexo:Cronología de Jane Austen Saltar a navegación, búsqueda …   Wikipedia Español

  • novel — novel1 novellike, adj. /nov euhl/, n. 1. a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes. 2. (formerly) novella (def. 1). [1560 70; …   Universalium

  • English literature — Introduction       the body of written works produced in the English language by inhabitants of the British Isles (including Ireland) from the 7th century to the present day. The major literatures written in English outside the British Isles are… …   Universalium

  • Anexo:Cronología de Jane Austen — Un dibujo de acuarela de Jane Austen por su hermana Cassandra Austen (1804). Esta cronología sit …   Wikipedia Español

  • Bage —   [beɪdʒ], Robert, englischer Schriftsteller, * Darley (heute zu Matlock, County Derbyshire) 29. 2. 1728, ✝ Tamworth (County Staffordshire) 1. 9. 1801; wuchs als Quäker auf, wurde Papierfabrikant und entwickelte sich zum Freidenker und Vertreter… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Bage, Robert — (1728 1801)    Novelist, b. in Derbyshire, was the s. of a paper maker. It was not until he was 53 that he took to literature; but in the 15 years following he produced 6 novels, of which Sir Walter Scott says that strong mind, playful fancy, and …   Short biographical dictionary of English literature

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”