Will the Circle Be Unbroken?: Family and Sectionalism in the Virginia Novels of Kennedy, Caruthers, and Tucker, 1830-1845

by John L. Hare

Overview

First published in 2002. This work examines eight Virginia novels against the background of the political and social concerns of the Jacksonian years in which they were written, arguing that the authors used familial processes as a metaphor to discuss issues that they regarded as critical. Each chapter focuses on a single novel - Swallow Barn, Kentuckian in New York, Cavaliers of Virginia, Horse-Shoe Robinson, George Balcombe, The Partisan Leader, and Knights of the Horseshoe - and examines its connections to the social and political tensions of the time of its publication - generational progress, sectional unity, executive authority, class relations, the nature of the ideal leader, relations among sections and states, socialist and perfectionist communities, and westward expansion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415762366
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/05/2015
Series:	Literary Criticism and Cultural Theory
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

William E. Cain,

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

Chapter 2 Generational Progress in Swallow Barn 13

Chapter 3 "An Ardent Desire": Kentuckian in New-York 31

Chapter 4 Authority and Affection: Cavaliers of Virginia 51

Chapter 5 Whigs and Covert Missions: Horse-Shoe Robinson 69

Chapter 6 Birthright and Authority: George Balcombe 89

Chapter 7 The Family Restructured: The Partisan Leader 107

Chapter 8 Mistaken Identity: Rob of the Bowl 127

Chapter 9 To the West: Knights of the Horse-shoe 143

Chapter 10 Conclusion 163

Notes 173

Works Cited 179

Index 185