Jane Austen Thesis

Although Jane Austen may have not been the most recognized author during her lifetime, the more historians study her unique work, the more they begin to realize how much she impacted a woman’s role in society through her novels and poems about moral issues, realistic principles, and the portrayal of feminist tradition which is still valued today. The change in the way that Austen was perceived throughout different time periods explains the variation and evolution of the styles of writings from the 18th century to the 20th century. Because her work was more “boisterous” and not focused on romanticism like most novels did during the 19th century, it took time for the public and scholars to truly appreciate the variety and distinctiveness of her writings.

Percy Shelley and the Romantic Ideal

Through the opinionated and fervent eyes of Percy Shelley, Romantic literary ideals were anti- most of the problems that plagued England at the time. And so, Romantic poetry became a medium in which Shelley’s dissenting voice could be profoundly critical and could prescribe remedies for these problems. Thus, Romanticism flourished as an outlet for those whose ideals were growing further and further apart from the ideals that were guiding tempestuous England.

Evolution in Context

While debate over the theory of evolution had been occurring throughout the nineteenth century, Charles Darwin’s interpretation of evolution was received with such success because it came at the time in which it played directly to what industrializing Britain wanted to hear. Darwin’s theory both shaped and was shaped by the individualist climate of Industrial Revolution Britain.

Jane Austen-Communism Thesis

Through the works of jane AUsten we are able to see subtle yet substantial similarities between the communist-dominated East and the socialist-fearing West and leanr that despite their insisted Differences, the two polar political spheres are not quite so different.

Social Darwinism thesis

Some historians argue that Darwin’s two books The Origin of Species and The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex directly caused the emergence of Social Darwinism and that Darwin was in fact a Social Darwinist who’s theories were not solely intended for the animal kingdom. However, even though Social Darwinism and Darwin himself appeared to be interrelated, the new social theory was a result of the industrial revolution, the subsequent ideals of competition and individuality that followed, and the theories of Thomas Malthus and Herbert Spencer.

Ironies of Nationalism under King Leopold II

King Leopold II, of the newly formed country, Belgium, portrayed to the public his need to colonize the Congo in order to strengthen their unity and their reputation on the Europe stage however, the horrors that occurred in his "Free State" traveled worldwide causing mass human rights movements which led the state of Belgium to regain a nationalistic government and unite against their own leader. 

Victor Hugo Thesis

Victor Hugo had a vision and plan for France that differed from Napoleon III, which would have changed history, but unfortunately he spoke out against Napoleon and wound up in exile unable to influence France at all. His romantic view of the world led him to over harshly slander Napoleon, who admittedly should have followed Hugo’s advice to wage peace not war.