The Last of the Race: The Growth of a Myth from Milton to DarwinThis is an innovative and wide-ranging study of the myth of 'The Last of the Race' as it develops in a selection of literary and non-literary texts from the late seventeenth to late nineteenth centuries. The perennial fascination with the end of the world has given rise to many 'last men', from the ancient myths of Noah and Deucalion to contemporary stories of nuclear holocaust. Endangered peoples such as the Maasai or Bush People continue to attract intense interest. Fiona J. Stafford begins with Milton and ends with Darwin, exploring the myth-making of their texts in the light of contemporary literary, scientific, political, and religious views. Chapters on Milton, Burnet, Defoe, Macpherson, Cowper, Wordsworth, Byron, Mary Shelley, Fenimore Cooper, Bulwer-Lytton, and Darwin combine to form an important account of the traces of this most resonant of cultural preoccupations, providing a distinguished contribution to cultural history as well as to literary studies. |
Contents
List of Illustrations X | 1 |
The First Last Man? Thomas Burnet and the Revolution | 34 |
Robinson Crusoe as Sole Survivor | 56 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
Adam ancient Apocalyptic appears attempt attitude bard become beginning belief Bulwer Byron century character coming common concern contemporary continued Cooper created Creation Crusoe dark death decline desire Despite destruction early earth effect emerges emphasis English entire eschatology Essay eternal example existence experience expressed extinction father fear feelings figure final future human idea imaginative important Indian individual influence interest isolation John last-of-the-race late less linear literature living London loss lost mankind Mary meaning mind myth natural notion novel observed once original Ossian Oxford Paradise past period physical poem poet poetry political positive possible present problem progress published race reader references remains represent ruin seems seen sense significant social society species suffering suggests symbol theory things Thomas thought traditional universal vision vols Wordsworth