Originally published in 1972, Henry Fielding and the Augustan Ideal Under Stress, focuses upon the various disruptive forces in the literary culture of the Augustan period upon Natures Dance of Death. His discussion centres on aspects of Fieldings writing in relation to Augustan culture and civilization. He also relates the works of such Augustans as Pope, Swift and Smollett, as well as some twentieth century writings, to his overall theme. He treats, among other topics the crises in stylistic urbanity and in the mock-heroic styles of this historically and artistically fascinating period.
Preface and Acknowledgements Notes on Texts and Abbreviations Part I:
Natures Dance of Death
1. Gentleman and Dancing-Masters
2. Nature and the
Masteries of Style in Fielding, Swift and Pope
3. Nature, Cruel Circumstance
and the Rage for Order: Amelia, with Reflections on Defoe, Smollett and
Orwell Part II: Heroes, Clowns and Schoolboys: Mutations in Mock-Heroic
4.
The Hero as Clown: Jonathan Wild, Felix Krull and Others
5. Epic vs. History:
Jonathan Wild and Augustan Mock-Heroic
6. The World of Wild and Ubu
7.
Fieldings Good Merchant: An Appendix on the Problem of Heartfree and Other
Good Characters in Fielding Index
Claude Rawson
