(Lacroix xvii)
Introduction:
The relationship between
Great Britain and France in the 18th-Century was one largely based on animosity,
which grew even as the century progressed. As we explore the perceptions
of several British writers towards the French, it begins to seem as though this
animosity may have been born from jealousy or intimidation.
The popularity of French culture on the continent began to
seep over into the British upper classes, and much of Britain's influence in
Europe was filtered through a French lens. Also, the British saw French
Catholicism as the threat that needed to be quelled, especially after the
Jacobite Rebellion. The
blossoming condition of French trade and the stiff competition it provided the
British in the second half of the century further added to the tension between
the two nations. Britain began to loose many markets to the French
traders, and pamphleteers began to call for a war to tilt the scales once again
in Britain's favor. Especially in the wars concerning colonial expansion,
the British were threatened by French imperialism and the repercussions it would
have on British identity. However, as the British were always able to
overcome their larger neighbor, this success lent to the feeling of British
superiority.
Purpose of this Site:
This site is part of a larger class project for West Chester University's Literature Seminar Lit400.02, "18th-Century England ... and the Rest of the Cosmos" in Fall 2003. We aim to provided some insight into the reasons underlying British writers' perceptions of the French during this time period by elucidating historical issues that may not have been explicitly mentioned in the source material. We believe this site will be helpful to anyone studying 18th-Century English Literature, whether on a graduate, undergraduate, or high school level, literary professionals, and to anyone interested in literature or history in general.
This website designed and created by
Krista Schroth and
Tim Greenberg.
Last updated 12/11/03