Towards Tragedy/Reclaiming Hope: Literature, Theology and Sociology in Conversation - Softcover

Dandelion, Pink

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1138383414 ISBN 13: 9781138383418

Publisher: Routledge, 2018

Synopsis

The 'death of tragedy' in the modern era has been proposed and debated in recent years, largely in terms of literature and western culture in general. Today, any catastrophe or misadventure is likely to be labeled a 'tragedy', without any inference of a larger, transcendent horizon or providential design that the word once conveyed. This book offers new perspectives on the idea of the 'death of tragedy', taking England and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in particular as a case study. Chapters focus on the origins of tragedy in ancient Greece, gospel and tragedy, the beginnings of the Quaker movement in seventeenth-century England, apocalyptic versus secularized experiences of time, Edwardian Quaker triumphalism, the search for English identity in postcolonial Britain, liberal Quakerism at the end of the twentieth century, and the promise and dilemma of postmodernity. The different disciplinary perspectives of the contributing authors bring literature, history, theology and sociology into a creative and revealing conversation. A Foreword by Richard Fenn introduces the book with an original and provocative meditation on tragedy and time.

About this title

About the Author

Pink Dandelion is Honorary Professor in Quaker Studies, University of Birmingham, and Programmes Leader, Centre for Postgraduate Quaker Studies, Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre and the University of Birmingham. He is also Editor, Quaker Studies, and Convenor, Quaker Studies Research Association

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1138383414
• ISBN 13: 9781138383418
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192